The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has introduced its first trade finance facility in Senegal, providing up to €15 million to Ecobank Senegal under its Trade Facilitation Programme.
The new facility will strengthen Senegal’s international trade capacity by supporting import and export activities, improving access to trade finance, and helping local businesses connect with global markets.
As a gateway to West Africa and a member of the West African Economic and Monetary Union, Senegal plays an important role in regional trade integration. The EBRD-backed trade line will enhance Ecobank Senegal’s ability to support companies involved in international commerce by providing guarantees to confirming banks and reducing political and commercial payment risks.
The financing will help businesses access essential goods, expand trade opportunities, and strengthen private-sector growth. It will also improve access to trade finance solutions for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), which play a key role in Senegal’s economy.
EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso said the agreement marks the beginning of a long-term partnership with Ecobank Senegal and will help local businesses participate more effectively in international trade while supporting economic resilience.
Ecobank Senegal, one of the country’s leading financial institutions, is part of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, a pan-African banking group operating across 35 countries. The partnership with the EBRD will allow the bank to expand its trade finance capabilities and strengthen support for Senegalese businesses.
Through the facility, Ecobank Senegal will also gain access to the EBRD’s international network of partner banks, enabling smoother trade transactions across a wider range of markets and increasing opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises.
The EBRD Trade Facilitation Programme operates across 28 economies and includes more than 130 issuing banks and over 800 partner banks worldwide. The programme has supported more than 36,000 transactions with a total value exceeding €42 billion.
Senegal became an EBRD shareholder and country of operation in 2025. The bank’s activities in the country will focus on supporting private-sector development, strengthening institutions, and promoting sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
The latest agreement marks an important step in expanding trade finance access in Senegal and supporting the country’s growing role in regional and international commerce.
