EBID and Coris Holding seal €80m Africa deal

The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) and Coris Holding SA have signed a financing agreement worth €80 million, aiming to broaden credit access for the productive sector across West Africa.

Deal signed at EBID headquarters

On 30 July 2026, officials gathered at EBID’s headquarters in Lomé, Togo, to formalize the arrangement. The ceremony was attended by Dr. George Agyekum Donkor, president and chairman of EBID’s board, and Mr. Diakarya Ouattara, managing director of Coris Holding SA, alongside senior staff from both institutions.

According to the filing, the credit line will allow Coris Holding SA to fund projects within food, energy and agricultural value chains. The institution notes that the financing is intended to support sustainable economic development throughout the sub‑region.

How the funding will be used

Coris Holding operates a network of banks in several West African states. Its subsidiaries are expected to use the new facility to increase refinancing capacity, enabling them to extend more loans to businesses, small‑medium enterprises and micro‑enterprises. The goal, as outlined by the institutions, is to stimulate value creation, generate jobs and promote more inclusive growth.

Dr. Donkor said the transaction “goes beyond a financing arrangement” and reflects confidence in African institutions. He added that the partnership expands long‑term financing for SMEs and productive sectors, supporting regional integration and sustainable prosperity.

Mr. Ouattara described the agreement as a milestone for Coris Holding’s ambition to deepen its role in West African economies. He explained that the credit facility will bolster the group’s ability to back businesses that create value and drive growth across the region.

EBID’s strategy, known as the GRO (Growth, Resilience and Optimisation) Strategy, aligns the operation with its broader aim to accelerate resilient, inclusive and sustainable regional growth. The statement emphasizes that the deal reinforces its role as a catalyst for private‑sector financing.

In practice, the infusion of capital could mean that a small agro‑processor in Burkina Faso, previously unable to secure a loan, might now obtain financing to upgrade equipment.

Similarly, a renewable‑energy startup in Ghana could access longer‑term credit to expand its solar installations, potentially creating local jobs and reducing reliance on imported fuels.

The agreement also signals a broader trend of regional banks seeking larger pools of capital to meet the financing gap faced by many West African firms. By leveraging EBID’s resources, Coris Holding’s subsidiaries may be better positioned to respond to demand for credit in sectors that are often under‑served.

West African economies are managing post‑pandemic recovery, climate challenges and the need for infrastructure upgrades.

Coris Holding’s managing director reaffirmed the group’s commitment to supporting businesses that drive sustainable growth, indicating that the new facility will be integrated into existing lending programs across the bank’s network.

EBID’s president concluded the ceremony by highlighting the importance of private‑sector involvement in achieving the region’s development objectives, noting that the partnership exemplifies the collaborative approach needed to unlock growth potential.