Guinea’s Minister, Ismaël Nabé, has been appointed Chairman of the Board of Governors of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), following a unanimous decision at the institution’s 24th Annual General Meeting in Accra on 8 April 2026.
He succeeds Ghana’s finance minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, at a time when the regional development finance institution is seeking to expand its reach and strengthen its balance sheet amid a challenging global environment.
A telecommunications engineer with expertise in governance and public-private partnerships, Nabé has emerged as a central figure in Guinea’s recent economic policy drive. Since taking office in March 2024, he has led the development of the “Simandou 2040” programme, an ambitious national roadmap encompassing more than 120 megaprojects alongside sweeping structural reforms. Under his stewardship, Guinea also secured its first sovereign credit rating from Standard & Poor’s, achieving a B+ rating with a positive outlook earlier this year.
Dr George Agyekum Donkor, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of EBID, welcomed the appointment, describing Nabé’s experience as well suited to the Bank’s evolving priorities. He noted that the institution would benefit from leadership focused on strengthening operational efficiency while deepening its regional impact.
In his inaugural remarks, Nabé pledged to work closely with fellow Governors and stakeholders to deliver on the Bank’s strategic objectives. He identified key priorities including boosting resource mobilisation, improving capital recovery, and broadening EBID’s shareholder base through the accession of non-regional members. He also emphasised the importance of consolidating the Bank’s position as West Africa’s leading development finance institution.
Nabé also paid tribute to his predecessor, praising Dr Forson’s leadership during a period marked by economic volatility and geopolitical uncertainty. He further commended Dr Donkor for advancing the Bank’s mandate and reinforcing its role in promoting regional integration.
Headquartered in Lomé, EBID serves as the development finance institution of the Economic Community of West African States. The Bank provides a range of financial instruments, including loans, equity investments and credit facilities, to support projects across infrastructure, industry, agriculture and social services.