The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) has launched the 2024 ECOWAS Investment Forum aimed at providing member states with investment partnerships that would contribute to the growth of their economies.

According to its president, Dr George Agyekum Donkor, the forum will serve as a platform for countries to deliberate and find solutions to some global challenges such as food security and climate change.

Speaking at the launch of the forum, Dr Agyekum Donkor, said the meeting will fuel dialogues geared towards addressing some of the many challenges hampering the growth of the economies.

“The forum will create opportunities for relevant and tangible investment partnerships and development programmes from key sectors such as agriculture to support food security and support to SMEs, infrastructure and energy,” he mentioned.

Themed "Transforming ECOWAS Communities in a Challenging Environment", the EIF 2024 will gather many economic players, including officials, investors, and executives from financial institutions and private firms.

The 2024 ECOWAS Investment Forum will also materialise deals and decisions that will bolster West African economies. The upcoming forum should also help the EBID raise the money it needs to carry out its five-year strategic plan.

The forum is being implemented by the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development which aims to contribute to the economic development of West Africa through the financing of ECOWAS projects and programs in particular, those related to transport, energy, telecommunications, industry, poverty alleviation, the environment and natural resources.

The Bank is an international financial institution with two funding windows to promote private-sector activities and fund the development of the public sector.