The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) has announced that its President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Dr George Agyekum Donkor, has been named the recipient of the Distinguished African Development Finance Leadership Award – Regional Integration and Economic Transformation at the 16th African Business Leadership Awards (ABLA) 2026.
The award, to be conferred by the African Leadership Organisation (UK) Limited and the Editorial Board of African Leadership Magazine, follows a rigorous merit-based evaluation process and recognises Dr Donkor’s exceptional leadership and transformative contribution to West Africa’s development finance landscape.
In addition to this individual honour, EBID has been designated a Strategic Development Finance Partner of the ALM Africa Summit 2026, underscoring the Bank’s pivotal role in advancing regional integration, infrastructure financing, enterprise development, and economic transformation across the ECOWAS region.
Dr Donkor has also been invited to serve as Special Guest of Honour and Keynote Speaker at the awards ceremony, scheduled for 3 July 2026 at the historic House of Lords in London, United Kingdom. The Summit will be held under the theme: “From Vision to Velocity: Driving Africa’s Next Wave of Growth and Leadership.”
According to the award citation issued by the Editorial Board, Dr Donkor’s leadership continues to bridge policy, capital structuring, and execution, positioning EBID as a strategic institution connecting sovereign priorities with global investment flows. The Board particularly commended his role in mobilising both concessional and commercial capital, advancing blended finance and co-investment frameworks, and strengthening financial systems necessary to accelerate sustainable economic growth across West Africa.
Responding to the honour, Dr Donkor said:
“This recognition is not only personal but also a tribute to the collective dedication of the entire EBID team, our Member States, and our development partners who share the vision of a prosperous and integrated West Africa.”
He added:“It reaffirms our commitment to inclusive finance, SME growth, women-led enterprise development, and infrastructure financing as key pillars of long-term economic competitiveness.”
As part of the recognition, Dr Donkor will participate in an exclusive high-level panel discussion alongside Heads of State, ministers, sovereign investors, central bank governors, leaders of development finance institutions, multinational executives, and global policy experts. He will also engage in an exclusive closed-door session with select members of the UK House of Lords.
The African Business Leadership Awards remains one of the continent’s premier leadership and investment engagement platforms. This year’s event is expected to attract more than 400 senior delegates, providing a unique platform for strategic dialogue, cross-border capital mobilisation, and continental thought leadership.
Dr Donkor has received numerous international honours in recognition of his contributions to Africa’s development. These include the Development Champion Award at the 2023 Rebranding Africa Forum in Brussels, Belgium, and the Prix de la Fondation at the prestigious 2022 Crans Montana Forum in Geneva, Switzerland. He has also been featured for four consecutive years among the 100 personalities transforming Africa by Financial Afrik, a leading international business publication.
About EBID
The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) is the development finance institution of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Headquartered in Lomé, Republic of Togo, the Bank is committed to financing development projects and programmes across a broad range of sectors, including infrastructure, basic services, rural development, the environment, industry, and social services.
Through its public and private sector windows, EBID provides long-, medium-, and short-term financing solutions, including loans, equity participation, lines of credit, refinancing, financial engineering operations, and related advisory services, all aimed at promoting sustainable economic growth and regional integration in West Africa.
