The NACCIMA team, taking advantage of the ongoing Biashara Afrika Summit 2026 in Lomé, Togo, paid a courtesy visit to the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) on Tuesday, 19th May 2026.
The delegation was led by the National President of NACCIMA, Engr. Jani Ibrahim, mni, OON, accompanied by members of the his delegation. The team was received by Dr. Mory Soumahoro, Executive Director of the bank in charge of Risk & Controls who warmly welcomed the delegation and introduced the bank as well as members of the EBID management team present at the meeting.
Dr. Soumahoro gave an overview of the mandate and operations of EBID, highlighting the Bank’s strategic role in financing development initiatives across the ECOWAS region. He noted that the Bank provides funding support for both public and private sector projects aimed at promoting regional integration, infrastructure development, industrial growth, trade facilitation, and economic transformation within West Africa.
In his remarks, the National President expressed appreciation to the management of EBID for receiving the delegation and commended the Bank for its sustained contributions to economic development, regional integration, and private sector growth within the ECOWAS sub-region. He formally introduced members of the NACCIMA delegation and provided a brief overview of NACCIMA, its mandate, and its role as the umbrella body for all Chambers of Commerce and the biggest/coordinating body for the organised private sector in Nigeria.
He further noted that NACCIMA remains committed to strengthening collaboration with regional and international institutions that promote trade, investment, industrialisation, enterprise development, and economic cooperation across West Africa. The National President emphasized the need for increased support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), export-oriented businesses, women and youth entrepreneurs, as well as initiatives that promote intra-African trade and cross-border business opportunities within the region.
Also speaking during the meeting, the Director General of NACCIMA, Engr. Sola Obadimu, thanked the management of EBID for hosting the delegation. He stated that the purpose of the visit was to explore areas of collaboration and seek the Bank’s support towards enhancing access to financing opportunities for NACCIMA members and the organised private sector in Nigeria, particularly MSMEs.
He specifically highlighted the need to access part of the Bank’s $50 million SME Growth Fund for the benefit of its MSME Members; capacity-building support for its MSME members to help sustainability and reduce mortality rates of MSMEs in Nigeria as well as support for the development/completion of the NACCIMA building project in Abuja. The EBID Team was informed that NACCIMA, under the direction of the National President had played some intervention role to help actualize the desire of the bank to have a Representative Office in Abuja by engaging the Minister of Foreign Affairs as well as the Minister of Finance in Nigeria. The National President also indicated that the NACCIMA building, when completed, could host the Representative Office if necessary if the Nigerian Government is yet to respond appropriately.
While responding, Dr. Soumahoro informed NACCIMA that the Bank would connect the Association with its Adviser on the project to further engage and finalise discussions on the areas of proposed collaboration and support as feasible. He reaffirmed EBID’s commitment to support initiatives that promote private sector growth, regional trade, enterprise development, and economic integration within the ECOWAS region.
Also speaking at the meeting, Mr. MacDonald Goaune, Coordinator, Vice President Operations, informed the delegation that the Bank currently provides lending support through Tier-2 instrumentation by engaging other financial institutions – typically commercial banks. He further stated that EBID is actively developing policies and strategies aimed at expanding its operations and strengthening its presence in Nigeria, being the largest economy within the ECOWAS region.
He noted that the Bank has undertaken several roadshows and stakeholder engagements to ensure that Nigeria is adequately represented within its investment and financing portfolio. According to him, EBID’s current strategy is focused on increasing collaboration with the private sector while supporting capacity-building initiatives as a critical tool for the growth, sustainability, and development of MSMEs across the region.
He further emphasized that strengthening private sector institutions and improving access to finance, technical support, and enterprise development programmes would significantly enhance regional economic growth, industrial productivity, and intra-African trade opportunities.
Dr. Andrew AMANKWAH, Director of Treasury and Resource Mobilization Department, noted that the growth fund is being executed through intermediary Financial institutions and businesses could get funded up to 5million dollars.
Barr. Kola Awe urged the bank to support export initiatives through customised initiatives. The idea was well received by the Bank’s management and the NACCIMA team was informed that such initiatives were already being considered.
The meeting ended with exchange of pleasantries and group photographs.
