Finance Minister and Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Ecowas Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has inaugurated the bank’s first regional representative office in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

The new office is expected to expand the bank’s visibility, improve project tracking, support investment delivery, and strengthen development cooperation among member states.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Forson described the establishment as the beginning of a new and more impactful era for the regional bank.

“Today’s inauguration is not an end, but a beginning,” he said. “It is the beginning of deeper engagement, faster implementation, and greater impact. It is the beginning of a stronger EBID — closer to its Member States and better equipped to deliver on its mandate.”

Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister for Economic Planning and Development, Nialé Kaba welcomed the initiative, noting that the decision to set up the first regional office in Abidjan underscores the country’s commitment to regional integration and shared economic progress.

She stressed that the physical presence of EBID will enable closer understanding of local realities and development priorities.

“It is great to know the bank is boosting its capacity to understand the realities of each country on the ground so that it can increase the impact of its programmes,”

President of EBID, Dr. George Agyekum Donkor, reiterated the strategic importance of the new office, describing it as more than a symbolic expansion.

“This is not merely an administrative office but a platform for deeper cooperation,” he stated. “It will serve as a bridge to link EBID’s resources and expertise with the countries involved. Our goal is to ensure every member state feels the presence and relevance of its regional bank.”

He assured that the bank will honour the confidence placed in its leadership and continue working with member countries to drive sustainable development.