EBID president urges gov’t to de-risk climate projects

….to unlock US$160bn in pensions

By Kingsley Webora TANKEH

President-ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), Dr. George Agyekum Donkor, has urged governments and the continent’s financial institutions to take steps to de-risk climate projects and redirect the estimated US$160billion pension funds, of which West Africa alone holds US$40billion, toward profitable, climate-smart projects.

Speaking at the 2025 Africa Financial Summit (AFIS), on the topic ‘Climate and Bond Markets: How to Build Africa’s Sustainable Finance Arsenal’, Dr. Donkor noted that the climate crisis presents an investment opportunity to the continent. He revealed that while Africa holds vast capital, over 90 percent of its pension funds are continually being invested in low-yield government securities.

“The capital is here. The resources are here. What we need now are bankable projects with healthy returns to attract it,” he intimated, calling on asset managers and institutional investors to consider pouring their cash into climate projects.

He therefore called for a collaborative effort to “de-risk” the green investment landscape, urging governments to create regulatory frameworks and financial institutions that develop innovative instruments.

As a proof-of-concept, he highlighted EBID’s own recent success as the first DFI to issue a Green, Social and Sustainable (GSS) bond on the WAEMU market in July 2024.

“DFIs possess the unique advantage of catalysing green resources to support governments,” Dr. Donkor asserted.

The African Finance and Industry Summit (AFIS) is an annual platform that brings together financial institutions, private sector leaders, policymakers and development partners to advance dialogue and action for Africa’s industrial and financial transformation.

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