Benin applied for membership in the EBRD in July 2023. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development will be in a position to respond to Benin's request to become a country of operations once the amendment to the Agreement establishing the Bank has entered into force.

The Board of Governors approved an amendment to the Agreement establishing the Bank in order to allow for a limited and gradual expansion of its geographical scope to include sub-Saharan Africa and Iraq. The Bank will be in a position to respond to Benin's request to become a country of operations once this amendment comes into force. This change requires the official acceptance of the majority of EBRD shareholders. Benin will thus become the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to join the EBRD as the 75th shareholder.

The President of the EBRD, Odile Renaud-Basso said she was very happy to welcome Benin, the first country in Sub-Saharan Africa to join the Bank. “We look forward to working in partnership with the country and, when the time is right, to put our expertise at the service of the country to support private sector development and sustainable growth.”

A noté que la EBRD now has 73 shareholder countries, in addition to the European Union enne and the European Investment Bank. The EBRD supports countries in transition through investments, advisory activities and policy reforms. It focuses on promoting private sector development and sustainable change, leaving a lasting legacy for a better future