The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) has taken a major step in strengthening South-South cooperation, welcoming Colombia's Vice President Francia Elena Márquez Mina to discuss strategic partnerships in agribusiness, ICT, and sustainable development. The visit marks a milestone in West Africa-Latin America collaboration.
The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) hosted Her Excellency Francia Elena Márquez Mina, Vice President of the Republic of Colombia, at its headquarters on 9 December 2025, in a historic gesture that signals a new era of South-South cooperation. Vice President Márquez, the first Afro-Colombian to hold the office, was welcomed amid high-level discussions that underscored the growing importance of collaboration between Latin America and West Africa.
During the visit, the two parties agreed to develop an Operational Cooperation Framework designed to guide strategic engagement across multiple sectors. The framework will serve as a blueprint for the development of projects, knowledge exchange, and the mobilisation of financial and technical resources. Among the priority sectors identified were climate-resilient, value-added agribusiness and Information and Communication Technology (ICT), both seen as vital catalysts for inclusive and sustainable growth across the ECOWAS region.
Vice President Márquez extended a formal invitation to Dr George Agyekum Donkor, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of EBID, for an official visit to Colombia in March 2026. This forthcoming visit is expected to serve as a defining milestone in the partnership, further promoting collaboration between Development Finance Institutions in Latin America and their West African counterparts. Speaking on the occasion, she reaffirmed Colombia's commitment to establishing a partnership that delivers tangible results for the people of West Africa, with a focus on shared prosperity and sustainable development.
Dr Donkor welcomed the strengthened ties, highlighting the transformative potential of the initiative. He stated, "EBID is poised to be the bridge connecting the dynamic economies of West Africa and Latin America. This partnership sets a new standard for impactful South-South development finance." He emphasised that the collaboration would not only foster investment and knowledge sharing but also accelerate the implementation of projects capable of driving long-term regional growth.
Looking ahead, both parties confirmed their intention to sign the Cooperation Framework prior to the EBID President's visit to Bogotá. The agreement is expected to formalise a roadmap for joint initiatives, reflecting a shared ambition to translate high-level discussions into concrete, actionable outcomes. Analysts suggest that the partnership could unlock new opportunities for investment, innovation, and sustainable development, positioning West Africa and Latin America as exemplars of South-South cooperation.
The visit marks a defining moment in EBID's efforts to strengthen international partnerships and highlights Colombia's growing role in supporting economic development in Africa. As the two regions deepen their ties, the collaboration is expected to serve as a model for other countries seeking mutually beneficial development initiatives.