EBID Adjusts Strategy Amid Trade Tensions and Monetary Easing

Economic governance

Tuesday, 30 September 2025 16:36

EBID Adjusts Strategy Amid Trade Tensions and Monetary Easing

EBID approved $308 million in loans for projects in Guinea and Nigeria during its 93rd board session in Lomé.
President George Agyekum Donkor warned that U.S. export tariffs are fueling inflation across African economies.
Global monetary easing allows EBID to borrow on international markets at more competitive rates.

The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) is adapting its strategy as global economic signals remain mixed. Meeting in Lomé for its 93rd board session, the bank approved financing for projects in Guinea and Nigeria while addressing the impact of international trade and monetary policies.

EBID President George Agyekum Donkor said U.S. export tariffs imposed under the Trump administration continue to create inflationary pressures that spill over into African economies. “These taxes increase the price of products and services and generate a direct impact on our economies,” Donkor said.

Rising production and service costs are squeezing households and reducing the competitiveness of local businesses, he added.

At the same time, EBID is closely monitoring global monetary trends. The U.S. Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 25 basis points, while the European Central Bank lowered its benchmark rate twice, in January and June.

Donkor said these easing cycles enable EBID to raise funds on international markets at more competitive terms, strengthening its capacity to finance projects in member states. “These policies allow us to borrow at competitive rates to finance impactful projects,” he said.

During the Lomé session, EBID announced $308 million in new loans for four projects. In Guinea, Vista Guinée will channel funds into SME and MSME financing. In Nigeria’s Taraba State, EBID will support energy and agro-industrial ventures in the country’s center-east, which is also the most populous ECOWAS member.

By leveraging favorable financing conditions while countering trade-related shocks, EBID aims to sustain its role as a key development financier in West Africa.

This article was initially published in French by Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum

REFORMS OVERVIEW

STARTING A BUSINESS (more info)

At the fifteenth position, worldwide, and first in Africa, under the Starting a Business index of the 2020 Doing Business ranking, Togo sustains its reformative dynamics with more reforms….

ENFORCING CONTRACTS (more info)

Compared to some years ago when it was one of the lowest rankers under the Doing Business’ Enforcing Contracts indicator, Togo, leveraging many efforts to improve its business climate, was able to jump significantly on the index in the recent years... .

CONTRACT EXECUTION (more info)

Creation of special chambers of commerce for small debts • Creation of chambers of commerce at the Court of Appeal • Civil and commercial cases now handled by distinct clerks • Establishment of commercial courts in Lomé and Kara • Lawyers and bailiffs now have access to the FORSETI COMMERCIAL platform • A maximum period of 100 days was fixed to settle a commercial dispute .

TRADING ACROSS BORDERS (more info)

In comparison to previous years,Togo has significantly improved its ranking under the“Trading across borders” indicator by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

In comparison to previous years, Togo has significantly improved its ranking on the “Trading across borders” index by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitalization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

CONSTRUCTION PERMIT (more info)

After moving from the 133rd to 127th place under the 2020 Doing Business’ construction permit index, Togo intends to reiterate this feat in the coming edition of the global ranking. To this end, it has introduced this year multiple reforms.

GETTING ELECTRICITY (more info)

Over the past two years, Togo’s ranking under the Doing Business’ Getting electricity and water indicator has increased consistently. Owing this performance to multiple reforms aimed at making it easier for businesses to access power and water, Lomé plans to introduce even more reforms this year to keep up its improvements.

REGISTERING A PROPERTY (more info)

Out of all the 'Doing Business’ indicators, Property Registration is where Togo has improved the most since 2018. Indeed, after spending years in the lowest part of this ranking, the country now seeks to beat Rwanda which is the best performer on this index in Africa. To do so, Lomé has been introducing many reforms, with the latest batch implemented this year.

PUBLIC PROCUREMENT (more info)

From professionalization to digitization, through legislative regulations, Togo’s public procurement framework is constantly being modernized. Several reforms have been implemented to improve the sector much to the benefit of the private sector, which is the focus of the National Development Plan.

PAYING TAXES AND DUTIES (more info)

To improve its business environment, Togo introduced some important reforms related to the payment of tax and duties. From the replacement of some taxes to the cancellation of others through exemptions, the country has only one objective: offer the most attractive tax framework to investors and economic operators. To achieve this, the authorities relied on digitization.