EBID and Colombia Forge Landmark South-South Development Partnership

The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) has marked a historic milestone by hosting Her Excellency Francia Elena Márquez Mina, Vice President of Colombia, to discuss groundbreaking South-South cooperation initiatives. This strategic meeting, held at the EBID headquarters in December 2025, emphasizes the growing importance of cross-continental partnerships between West Africa and Latin America. Vice President Márquez, the first Afro-Colombian leader in her role, was warmly received in a ceremony signaling a new chapter of collaboration focused on sustainable progress.

Strengthening Cross-Continental Ties

During the meeting, Colombia and EBID outlined an innovative Operational Cooperation Framework that promises to accelerate development in multiple sectors, including value-added agribusiness and Information and Communication Technology (ICT). These sectors have been identified as critical drivers of inclusive and sustainable growth in the ECOWAS region. The framework underscores an actionable blueprint for facilitating knowledge exchange, mobilizing financial resources, and implementing transformative projects across both regions. This initiative has the potential to unlock unprecedented opportunities for economic development and environmental resilience.

Vice President Márquez extended an official invitation to EBID President Dr. George Agyekum Donkor to visit Colombia in March 2026. This forthcoming diplomatic visit will further solidify ties between the two regions and promote collaboration between their respective Development Finance Institutions. Speaking at the event, Vice President Márquez reaffirmed Colombia’s commitment to creating meaningful partnerships that deliver measurable benefits for communities in West Africa, emphasizing the shared goal of fostering prosperity and sustainability.

A New Benchmark for South-South Cooperation

Dr. Donkor hailed the partnership as an important milestone, emphasizing the transformative potential such collaborations hold for regional development. He stated, “EBID is poised to serve as the bridge connecting the dynamic economies of West Africa and Latin America. This alliance sets a new precedent for impactful South-South cooperation.” The framework aims not only to foster investment but also to promote extensive knowledge-sharing mechanisms, significantly contributing to long-term regional growth strategies in both continents.

Both sides expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming formal signing of the Cooperation Framework, which is expected to detail a roadmap for advancing joint projects. Analysts believe this partnership could serve as a leading example of innovative South-South collaboration, creating pathways for economic growth, infrastructure expansion, and broader regional cooperation between Latin America and West Africa. By transforming high-level discussions into actionable outcomes, EBID and Colombia aim to set a precedent for international development efforts.

Significance of the Partnership

This historic collaboration highlights Colombia’s expanding role in global development, particularly its focus on Africa’s growth. By leveraging its expertise in agriculture and ICT, Colombia’s partnership with EBID seeks to drive initiatives that directly benefit local economies and communities. As both regions align their strategies for inclusive development, this cooperation is expected to catalyze innovation, amplify investment, and build stronger connections between the Global South.

Ultimately, this partnership exemplifies the potential of South-South development frameworks to reshape global growth narratives. Analysts project that the initiatives born from this alliance will inspire other nations to pursue similar cooperative models, fostering a new era of mutual economic empowerment and sustainable advancement for emerging markets. With the formal Cooperation Framework on the horizon, the EBID-Colombia partnership paves the way for a transformative future, setting benchmarks for development collaboration worldwide.