On Wednesday, April 1, 2026, the West African Development Bank (BOAD) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, held a high-level workshop at BOAD's headquarters in Lomé. The objective is to strengthen their partnership in favor of transformative projects for growth and job creation.

The high-level workshop brought together the regional and sectoral management teams of both Institutions around an ambitious agenda aimed at strengthening their cooperation in key regional development sectors: energy, agriculture, natural resources, and innovative financing instruments.

During Wednesday's meeting, which marks a new step in deepening this collaboration and paves the way for strengthened initiatives in favor of inclusive and sustainable development, the two institutions explored collaboration opportunities within the framework of the World Bank Group's Global AgriConnect (GAP) initiative, as well as the feasibility of a WAEMU sustainable bond issuance backed by the cashew sector – an unprecedented instrument for the region.

Discussions focused on co-financing opportunities in the renewable energy and gas sector, as well as sustainable water resource management. The teams assessed the feasibility of a XOF-EUR cross-financing mechanism, an innovative initiative that allows both Institutions to increase their financing capacity in the sub-region. Financing opportunities in the affordable housing sector for populations in WAEMU member countries were also explored.