On July 22, 2025, the African Development Bank Group, in collaboration with the Government of Liberia, will launch the first Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank (YEIB) in Liberia. This marks the beginning of a broader initiative to establish YEIBs across Africa, with Liberia being the first country to host this youth-focused financial institution.
The launch will be preceded by an expanded cabinet meeting led by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. The meeting will include key government officials such as ministers, deputy ministers, heads of state-owned enterprises, legislators, and the chief justice of Liberia.
The $17 million initiative, spearheaded by African Development Bank Group President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, is designed to tackle youth unemployment in a country where over 60% of the population is under the age of 35. The YEIB is expected to support the creation of more than 30,000 youth-led businesses, generate 120,000 direct and indirect jobs, and unlock over $500 million in additional lending over the next ten years.
The YEIB introduces an innovative model that integrates three components: an early-stage investment fund for direct equity investment, a Technical Assistance Fund to support business development services, and a Credit Guarantee Fund to share lending risks. This approach is intended to overcome traditional financial barriers faced by young entrepreneurs.
Liberia’s YEIB launch follows approvals for similar banks in Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Côte d’Ivoire, positioning the initiative as a continent-wide effort to enhance youth entrepreneurship and access to capital.
The YEIB in Liberia is jointly financed by the African Development Fund, contributing US$15.9 million, and the Government of Liberia, providing US$1.2 million in in-kind support.
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