African Leadership Magazine is delighted to announce that Dr. George Agyekum Donkor, President and Chairman of the Board of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), has been confirmed as a distinguished speaker and honouree at the 16th African Business Leadership Awards (ABLA) 2026. The prestigious event will be held on 2–3 July 2026 at the iconic House of Lords, London, United Kingdom.
Dr. Donkor’s participation at this landmark gathering reflects his exceptional contributions to development finance, regional economic integration, sustainable investment, and institutional transformation across Africa. Recognised as one of the continent’s foremost development finance leaders, he has played a pivotal role in strengthening EBID’s position as a leading regional financial institution dedicated to fostering economic growth and prosperity across the fifteen member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
READ ALSO: DR. GEORGE AGYEKUM DONKOR CONFIRMED AS SPEAKER AND HONOUREE AT THE 16TH AFRICAN BUSINESS LEADERSHIP AWARDS (ABLA) 2026 IN LONDON
With a distinguished career spanning more than three decades, Dr. Donkor has built a reputation as a visionary leader whose expertise bridges the fields of law, development banking, strategic management, and institutional governance. Prior to his appointment as President and Chairman of EBID, he served as Vice-President, Finance and Corporate Services, for seven years and earlier as Head of Legal Division and Compliance, where he spearheaded critical reforms that enhanced operational efficiency, corporate governance, and institutional resilience.
Under his transformational leadership, EBID has recorded unprecedented achievements that have significantly elevated the institution’s profile within Africa and the global financial community. The Bank secured notable credit rating upgrades from Moody’s and Fitch Ratings, achieved accreditation from the Green Climate Fund, and made history in 2024 as the first development finance institution to issue a Green, Social and Sustainable Bond Listing on the Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières (BRVM), one of Africa’s most vibrant regional stock exchanges.
Dr. Donkor’s strategic vision has enabled EBID to expand financing across critical sectors, including infrastructure, energy, agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing, climate resilience, and private sector development. Through these investments, the Bank continues to support transformative projects that strengthen regional connectivity, promote industrialisation, create employment opportunities, and drive inclusive economic growth throughout West Africa.
The African Business Leadership Awards remain one of Africa’s most respected platforms for celebrating outstanding individuals and institutions whose leadership, innovation, and commitment continue to shape the continent’s economic future. The 16th edition is expected to attract an influential audience of heads of government, policymakers, corporate executives, investors, diplomats, development finance practitioners, academics, and thought leaders from across Africa and the international community.
As a featured speaker at the event, Dr. Donkor will share valuable insights on the future of development finance, Africa’s investment opportunities, sustainable economic transformation, regional integration, and the critical role of development finance institutions in advancing the objectives of Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). His perspectives are expected to contribute significantly to ongoing conversations around financing Africa’s growth ambitions and strengthening economic cooperation across the continent.
Beyond his leadership at EBID, Dr. Donkor has established an impressive record of service across academia, governance, and international development. He serves as a Council Member of the University of Ghana and is a former Chairman of the University Council’s Investment Committee. He also sits on the boards of prominent regional and international institutions, including Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), ASKY Airlines, and WAICA Re-Insurance.
An accomplished scholar, Dr. Donkor holds a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) and a Master of Applied Business Research (MABR) from SBS Swiss Business School, Zurich, Switzerland, as well as an Executive MBA from the University of Ghana, Legon. He has lectured extensively in finance and strategic management and has published numerous scholarly works in the fields of development finance, leadership, and institutional transformation.
His influence extends beyond finance and governance. Dr. Donkor currently serves as Chancellor of NiBS University, Ghana, Honorary President of the Global Network for Export-Import Banks and Development Finance Institutions (G-NEXID), headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and President of the African-Jewish Chamber of Commerce. He is also widely sought after as a public speaker and resource person at major international conferences and policy forums.
Over the years, Dr. Donkor has received numerous prestigious honours in recognition of his remarkable contributions to Africa’s development. Among these are the CEO of CEOs Award (2025), CEO of the Year – Africa Awards (2023 and 2025), the Development Champion Award (2023) presented at the Rebranding Africa Forum in Brussels, Belgium, the Prix de la Foundation Award (2022) at the Crans Montana Forum in Geneva, Switzerland, and the Ghana Innovation Leadership Award (2019). His name has also been featured four consecutive times among the “100 Personalities Transforming Africa” by Financial Afrik, underscoring his growing influence on the continent’s economic and development landscape.
Speaking on his confirmation, the Editorial Board of African Leadership Magazine praised Dr. Donkor’s exceptional achievements and enduring impact on Africa’s development agenda.
“Dr. George Agyekum Donkor exemplifies the visionary leadership required to drive Africa’s economic transformation in an increasingly interconnected world. Through his stewardship of EBID, he has demonstrated how innovative development finance can unlock opportunities, accelerate regional integration, and support sustainable growth. His leadership continues to inspire confidence among governments, investors, and development stakeholders across Africa and beyond. We are honoured to welcome him as both a distinguished speaker and honouree at the 16th African Business Leadership Awards,” the organisers stated.
The honour recognises Dr. Donkor’s outstanding contributions to development finance, regional integration, sustainable investment, institutional excellence, and economic empowerment across Africa.
The 16th African Business Leadership Awards will feature high-level panel discussions, investment forums, policy dialogues, executive networking sessions, leadership showcases, and strategic partnership engagements designed to foster collaboration and accelerate Africa’s sustainable development agenda.
Media Contact
King Richard Igimoh
Group Editor
African Leadership Magazine
United Kingdom | Africa
Email: editor@africanleadership.co.uk
Website: www.africanleadershipmagazine.co.uk
