President Julius Maada Bio opens 2024 ECOWAS Court of Justice conference

President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone has officially inaugurated a four-day conference of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice. The theme for this year's conference is "Enhancing the role, relevance, and effectiveness of the ECOWAS Court of Justice through the strengthening of synergies between the Court and National Stakeholders". Read More »

ECOWAS and AfDB host validation meeting for Abidjan-Lagos Corridor study

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB), is hosting a validation meeting for the Spatial Development Initiative (SDI) study for the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor from 14 to 16 May 2024 in Accra, Ghana. This three-day event convenes experts from various organizations and sectors to discuss the SDI study results, which include a comprehensive roadmap for the development of the Abidjan-Lagos corridor. Read More »

Sierra Leone's President urges action on clean cooking at international summit

On May 14, 2024, Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio delivered a keynote speech at the Clean Cooking in Africa Summit held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France. He highlighted the urgent need for progress in clean cooking practices across Africa, noting that nearly four out of five Africans still rely on open fires and traditional stoves using polluting fuels. Read More »

African Development Fund grants $22.7 million for Malawi's agricultural reform

The African Development Fund's Board of Directors approved a $22.7 million budget support grant for Malawi on 15 May 2024. The grant is aimed at implementing a national program to reform the agricultural sector and strengthen resilience to climate change. The Agricultural Productivity and Marketing Program, designed to catalyze economic growth and ensure food security within Malawi, also involves optimizing efficiency, transparency, and accountability in agricultural sector spending, as well as reinforcing disaster preparedness and climate resilience measures. Read More »

IMF approves use of SDRs for hybrid capital instruments: AfDB and IDB respond

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) have expressed their approval of the International Monetary Fund’s Executive Board's decision to allow hybrid capital as an eligible instrument for channeling Special Drawing Rights (SDRs). The SDR-hybrid-capital based solution, proposed by AfDB and IDB, meets the IMF’s statistical criteria for international reserve-asset status. As per IMF rules, countries lending their SDRs through this approach can continue to account for them as reserves. Read More »

African Development Bank pledges $2 billion for clean cooking solutions in Africa

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has committed $2 billion over the next decade to support clean cooking solutions in Africa. This pledge was made at a landmark summit on Clean Cooking in Africa, held recently in Paris. The bank's president, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, announced that 20% of all AfDB's energy project financing would now be directed towards promoting safe alternatives to cooking with charcoal, wood and biomass. Read More »

African Development Bank approves $15m trade finance package for Zimbabwe's FCB

The African Development Bank Group's Board of Directors has approved a $15 million trade finance package for First Capital Bank (FCB) in Zimbabwe. This move aims to bolster intra-African commerce, aligning with the objectives of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area. The package consists of a $7.5 million trade finance line of credit and a $7.5 million transaction guarantee, projected to catalyse approximately $146 million in trade over the next three years. Read More »

ECOWAS inaugurates drilling project to boost youth employability in Nigeria

In an area where clean water access is often a challenge, a new drilling project promises to transform the lives of the Luumo Kosam Dairy Cooperative members in Chukun, Kaduna State, Nigeria. The Value Chain Foundation initiated this project with financial backing from ECOWAS and the Swiss Cooperation (DDC), as part of the Regional Program for Support to Farmer Organizations (PRAOP). Read More »

Libassa Ecolodge unveils new jungle lodge & forest reserve in Liberia

Libassa Ecolodge has launched the Warkolor Jungle Lodge & Forest Reserve in Robertsport, Grand Cape County, Liberia. The event on May 10, 2024, was attended by notable figures such as Catherine Rodriguez, Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Liberia; Johnny Tarkpah, representative of the President of Liberia; and Hon. Rudolph J. Merab, Managing Director of the Forestry Development Authority (FDA). Read More »

African Development Bank launches inaugural EUR 500 million green benchmark

On 15 May 2024, the African Development Bank (AfDB), with a triple-A rating from Moody’s, S&P, and Fitch, successfully launched and priced an inaugural EUR 500 million short 4-year Green Benchmark. This is the second green bond issued under the Bank's new Sustainable Bond Framework, established in September 2023. The bond, due March 2028, pays a coupon of 2.875% with a re-offer yield of 2.947%. The net proceeds from the Notes will be used to finance and/or refinance eligible green projects as outlined in the Issuer’s Sustainable Bond Framework. Read More »

EU and ECOWAS hold preparatory forum on security and defence

The European Union Delegation to Nigeria, in partnership with the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC) under the Office of the National Security Adviser, held the Abuja “Road to Schuman Forum on Security and Defence” on May 15, 2024. The event took place at the National Counter-Terrorism Centre in Abuja, Nigeria. The forum was themed “Reducing vulnerabilities through partnerships” and served as a preparatory meeting for the main Schuman Forum on Security and Defence, set to occur on May 28 and 29 in Brussels. Read More »

ECOWAS aims for harmonized regional tourism sector through collaboration

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Directorate of Private Sector has assembled experts and stakeholders from the tourism industry for a five-day conference in Abuja, Nigeria. The gathering is focused on the monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for ECOTOUR 19-29 and the ECOWAS Tourism Accommodation Regulator, with an aim to optimize resource use and improve operational efficiency. Read More »

Access Bank completes acquisition of Atlas Mara in Zambia

Access Bank Zambia Limited has announced the completion of its acquisition of African Banking Corporation Zambia Limited, also known as Atlas Mara Zambia. This follows the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals. The two banks will continue to operate separately until all integration processes are finalised. Upon completion, the merged entity is expected to be among Zambia's top five banks by revenue, with potential to rank in the top three by 2027. Read More »

ECOWAS adopts new regulations for regional tourism growth

The three-day meeting of Tourism Experts and the Private Sector on the Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanisms of ECOTOUR 19-29 concluded with participants from Member States adopting several key resolutions. The private sector was assigned the responsibility of formulating a funding request for ECOTOUR 19-29 activities, identifying and seeking support from Technical and Financial Partners (TFPs), and initiating a partnership agreement with the ECOWAS Commission to implement a robust regional tourism strategy for economic growth. Read More »

ECOWAS explores greater cooperation with Egypt on peace and security

The ECOWAS Commission and the Arab Republic of Egypt are exploring possibilities for enhanced cooperation in peace and security to promote stability in West Africa. This initiative was highlighted during a courtesy call by Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, H.E. Mohamed Fouad, on ECOWAS Commissioner of Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Dr. Abdel-Fatau Musa, on May 16, 2024, in Abuja, Nigeria. Read More »

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