Dr. George Agyekum Donkor, President of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), is set to be recognised on the continental stage for his contributions to regional economic growth and development finance in West Africa.
He will receive the Distinguished African Development Finance Leadership Award – Regional Integration & Economic Transformation at the 16th African Business Leadership Awards (ABLA) 2026, scheduled to take place in London.
The award, presented by the African Leadership Organisation (UK) Limited in collaboration with the Editorial Board of African Leadership Magazine, follows a merit-based assessment of his leadership and impact on development finance across the ECOWAS sub-region.
Organisers say EBID has also been named a Strategic Development Finance Partner for the ALM Africa Summit 2026, in recognition of its role in infrastructure development, enterprise support, and efforts to deepen economic integration across West Africa.
As part of the programme, Dr. Donkor has been invited as Special Guest of Honour and Keynote Speaker at the ceremony, which will be held on July 3 at the House of Lords in London. The summit will focus on the theme “From Vision to Velocity: Driving Africa’s Next Wave of Growth and Leadership.”
According to the citation, Dr. Donkor has been instrumental in strengthening EBID’s position as a key financial institution linking regional development priorities with global investment through policy direction, capital mobilisation, and project implementation.
He is also credited with advancing innovative financing approaches, including blended finance and co-investment models, aimed at supporting sustainable development and economic transformation in West Africa.
In a statement responding to the recognition, Dr. Donkor described the award as a collective achievement, paying tribute to EBID staff, member states, and development partners working toward a more integrated and prosperous region.
He reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to inclusive financing, small and medium enterprise development, women-led businesses, and infrastructure investment as key drivers of long-term growth.
The event is expected to bring together more than 400 high-level delegates, including government officials, central bank governors, investors, and business leaders, for discussions on investment and policy collaboration.
Dr. Donkor’s latest recognition adds to a series of international honours, including the 2023 Development Champion Award at the Rebranding Africa Forum in Brussels and the 2022 “Prix de la Foundation” at the Crans Montana Forum in Geneva. He has also been consistently listed among influential African development leaders by Financial Afrik magazine.
