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 chosen to receive the Distinguished African Development Finance Leadership Award – Regional Integration & Economic Transformation at the 16th African Business Leadership Awards 2026.
This award, given by the African Leadership Organisation and the Editorial Board of African Leadership Magazine, is based on a thorough evaluation of merit.
It honors Dr Donkor’s strong leadership and his significant impact on the development finance structure in West Africa.
In addition to this personal honor, EBID has also been recognized as a Strategic Development Finance Partner of the ALM Africa Summit 2026.
This shows the Bank’s important role in supporting regional integration, infrastructure funding, business growth, and economic progress across the Economic Community of West African States.
Dr Donkor has also been invited to be the Special Guest of Honour and Keynote Speaker at the awards event, which is set for July 3, 2026, at the House of Lords.
The summit will focus on the theme: “From Vision to Velocity: Driving Africa’s Next Wave of Growth and Leadership.”
According to the citation by the Editorial Board, Dr Donkor’s leadership connects policy, funding structures, and actions, helping EBID become a key institution that links national goals with global investments.
The Board praised his efforts in bringing together concessional and market–rate capital, advancing blended finance and co–investment models, and improving financial systems to support sustainable economic growth in West Africa.
Dr Donkor said the award is a shared success.
“This recognition is not just personal; it’s a tribute to the hard work of the entire EBID team, our Member States, and our development partners who share the dream of a strong, united West Africa,” he said.
He also mentioned that the award confirms the Bank’s focus on inclusive finance, supporting small businesses, women–led enterprises, and infrastructure as key elements for long–term economic strength.
As part of the honor, Dr Donkor will join a high–level panel discussion with leaders like heads of state, ministers, sovereign investors, central bank governors, development finance institutions, company executives, and global policy experts.
He will also have a private meeting with selected members of the UK House of Lords.
The African Business Leadership Awards is one of Africa’s top platforms for leadership and investment, expected to bring together over 400 senior leaders for strategic meetings, cross–border funding efforts, and thought leadership.
Dr Donkor has received several international awards before, including the 2023 Development Champion Award at the Rebranding Africa Forum in Brussels and the 2022 Prix de la Foundation award at the Crans Montana Forum.
He has also been named among the top 100 people changing Africa by Financial Afrik for four years in a row.
EBID, based in Lomé, is the development finance institution of ECOWAS and funds projects in infrastructure, rural areas, industry, social services, and environmental sustainability throughout the sub–region.
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