The President of EBID pays a visit to President Alassane OUATTARA of Cote d’Ivoire
The President of ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), Dr. George Agyekum Donkor, accompanied by a high-level delegation went on a mission to the Republic of Cote D’Ivoire from May 10th to May 13th, 2021. The objective of the mission was to enable the President to personally express his appreciation to His Excellency Alassane Ouattara and his government for the various support initiatives extended to the Bank over the years.
The President of EBID on behalf of the Board of Governors, Board of Directors, Management and Staff particularly expressed his appreciation to President Ouattara and his government for Cote d’Ivoire’s keen interest in the Bank culminating in the payment of its entire called-up capital of the Bank. Dr. Donkor noted that Cote d’Ivoire, as the third largest shareholder and a strong strategic partner, has demonstrated goodwill worthy of emulation by the other ECOWAS Member States. The President of EBID lauded President Ouattara for his great leadership and commended his government for the rapid economic recovery within ten (10) years of his stewardship.
Dr Donkor also confirmed the Bank’s readiness to support the Government and people of Cote d’Ivoire with the implementation of their National Development Plan for 2021-2025. He stated that the Bank was particularly interested in the pillars stipulated in the plan calling for structural transformation of Cote d’Ivoire through industrialization, digitalization of the economy and development of human capital to improve productivity which are all aligned with the Bank’s mission.
With respect to EBID’s intervention in Cote d’Ivoire, Dr. Donkor stated that as at March 31, 2021, the Bank’s total commitment in Cote d’Ivoire stood at FCFA 275 billion for 37 projects, making Cote d’Ivoire the highest beneficiary of the Bank’s intervention in the sub-region. He further mentioned that there were twelve (12) ongoing projects in the country to the tune of FCFA 107 billion, from both the public and private sector.
In response, President Ouattara lauded the Bank for the bold initiatives taken recently and for being a strategic partner for development for Cote d’Ivoire and the ECOWAS Community over the years. He urged the Bank to take steps to offer more competitive pricing to allow Member States to finance more development projects to address the infrastructure deficit plaguing the sub-region. He also emphasized the need for the Bank to consider institutional reforms to strengthen governance and continue improving its operations.
The President also paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Planning and Development who is also the Governor for EBID representing Cote d’Ivoire, Madam Niale Kaba, and held a working session with her ministry concerning the Bank’s ongoing projects. In the same vein, the President and his delegation paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Economy and Finance, Mr. Adama Coulibaly, and reiterated the Bank’s commitment to strengthen its collaboration with the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire.
On the side-lines of these meetings, the President of EBID held discussions with a number of private corporate entities to explore possibilities of seeking funding from the Bank and visited a public-school project sponsored by the Bank.
