• Ecobank will deploy $3 billion over the next three years to support intra-African trade under the AfCFTA.
• The bank has launched new partnerships with AGRA and Proparco to increase financing for agricultural SMEs.
• Ecobank is also strengthening ties with Asian markets to diversify funding sources and support cross-border trade.

Ecobank has committed $3 billion over the next three years to finance intra-African trade, positioning itself as a key financial partner in the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The funding package, announced during the Africa Forward Summit, is designed to support cross-border commerce across the continent. According to the Lomé-based banking group, the goal is not only to increase trade among African countries but also to build stronger commercial networks that can withstand global economic shocks.

Agriculture Takes Center Stage

For Ecobank, expanding trade starts with strengthening agriculture, a sector that remains central to many African economies. In Nairobi, the bank formalized a strategic partnership with AGRA (Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa) to improve access to finance for agricultural businesses.

The initiative aims to reduce the risks associated with agricultural lending and provide credit solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises across 11 African countries. Women- and youth-led businesses will receive particular attention.

By linking Ecobank’s Ellevate banking program with AGRA’s Value4HER and YEFFA platforms, the partners hope to help transform agriculture from a largely subsistence-based activity into a more structured and investment-driven sector.

A New Financing Program With Proparco

Ecobank has also expanded its collaboration with Proparco, the private-sector financing arm of the French Development Agency (AFD). The partners launched a $35.2 million guarantee program backed by the ARIZ and EURIZ mechanisms to improve access to credit for micro and small agricultural enterprises.

According to Ecobank, the partnership could eventually support up to $300 million in financing. While regional integration remains a core focus, Ecobank continues to strengthen its international footprint. The bank is targeting opportunities created by growing trade flows between Africa and both China and India. By deepening ties with Asian markets, Ecobank aims to diversify its long-term funding sources while making it easier for African businesses to conduct transactions worldwide.

“Africa’s growth requires execution at scale,” said Jeremy Awori, Chief Executive Officer of Ecobank Group. “This is capital deployed directly into the real economy to support food production, livelihoods, and local value creation.”

The announcement highlights Ecobank’s broader strategy of combining trade finance, agricultural development, and international partnerships to support economic integration across the continent.