The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) signed a $91.63 million financing agreement with Bauchi State to fund 24 road and bridge projects.
The deal was finalized at EBID’s headquarters in Lomé, Togo. Dr. George Agyekum Donkor, the bank’s president, and Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, Bauchi State’s governor, signed on behalf of their institutions.
The projects will improve transport links between urban and rural communities, making it easier for residents to reach markets and essential services. The initiative is expected to lower transport costs and support agricultural and commercial trade.
It aligns with Bauchi State’s development plan and Nigeria’s broader economic goals. The effort should create around 5,000 jobs during construction and 2,000 permanent positions afterward.
At the signing ceremony, Donkor stated the investment showed the bank’s commitment to infrastructure that creates jobs and improves living conditions. He added that better transport links would reduce logistics costs and open new economic opportunities for the region.
Mohammed described the partnership as a key step toward building a more competitive economy in Bauchi. Reliable transport infrastructure, he said, is essential for attracting investment and raising living standards.
The bank has previously supported large-scale projects in Nigeria, including energy, agriculture, and water initiatives across West Africa. These efforts often target regions with limited access to basic services.
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For Bauchi’s residents, the roads may shorten travel times to hospitals, schools, and markets. Farmers could see lower costs for moving goods, though some remain concerned about long-term maintenance after construction ends.
The financing falls under EBID’s Growth, Resilience and Optimisation (GRO) Strategy, which prioritizes sustainable infrastructure to support economic integration in the area. The bank said the projects would help strengthen regional trade and resilience.
While the funding covers the initial phase, state officials have not ruled out additional support if the projects succeed. No timeline was given for construction, but similar programs typically take 18 to 24 months to complete.
Bauchi, one of Nigeria’s poorer states, has long struggled with underdeveloped infrastructure. Earlier road projects faced delays due to funding gaps and bureaucratic hurdles, though this agreement appears to have overcome those issues.
Donkor noted that EBID’s role includes technical support to ensure projects meet environmental and social standards. The bank has faced criticism for slow disbursements, but officials say recent reforms have improved efficiency.
The deal arrives as Nigeria addresses a national infrastructure deficit estimated at over $3 trillion. While federal funding has increased, state governments often turn to partners like EBID to bridge the gap. G Farms expansion also received backing from the bank, reflecting its broader focus on regional development.
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