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Add to Preferred SourcesThe European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is extending a US$ 20 million (€17.3 million) trade finance line to BANK OF AFRICA-BENIN (BOA-BENIN) under its Trade Facilitation Programme, according to a press release issued by the EBRD on 11 June 2026. The facility aims to boost financing for import-export operations and support the development of Benin’s private sector. It will be accompanied by technical assistance focused on digital transformation and cybersecurity. The agreement marks the first trade finance operation between the EBRD and BOA-BENIN. It is designed to deepen Benin’s integration into regional and international markets.
Benin became an EBRD shareholder in 2024 and a country of operation in July 2025. The Bank’s activities in the country focus on supporting the development of sustainable infrastructure, the modernization of companies, and the strengthening of economic institutions. The EBRD’s Trade Facilitation Programme operates in 28 economies, encompassing more than 130 issuing banks and 800 confirming banks worldwide. To date, the programme has supported more than 36,000 commercial transactions, with a cumulative volume of €42 billion. The new facility builds on this established framework.
The facility will enable the EBRD to issue guarantees to international confirming banks and provide short-term financing. It is designed to support imports, exports, and the local distribution of strategic products. These include foodstuffs, agricultural products, industrial equipment, and construction materials. The partnership will help strengthen BOA-BENIN’s ability to support local companies in their international operations. It will also help the bank diversify its correspondent banking relationships and facilitate access for Beninese businesses to regional and international markets.
Dasha Dougans, EBRD Head of Benin, said: “We are pleased to be completing this first trade finance operation with BOA-BENIN. The facility will boost trade, increase local companies’ access to finance and help deepen Benin’s integration into regional and international markets. Combined with targeted technical assistance, the operation demonstrates our commitment to resilient financial institutions and private sector-led growth.”
Abdel Mumin Zampalegre, Managing Director of BOA-BENIN, described the agreement as an important step in strengthening the bank’s trade finance offering. He added that the partnership is part of BOA-BENIN’s strategy to position itself as the number one for trade finance in Benin.
Through the facility and the accompanying technical assistance, BOA-BENIN expects to strengthen its ability to support Beninese companies in developing their businesses. The bank also aims to help local firms open up to the international market. The combination of the trade line and technical support reflects the EBRD’s broader commitment to financial institutions in its newer countries of operation. The new partnership underscores the joint focus on expanding trade opportunities for Beninese enterprises. It also reinforces the EBRD’s growing presence in Benin since the country joined the institution.