Economic Development | Sahel Heads of State Inaugurate the Confederal Investment

Bamako, December 23, 2025 - AES The Confederal Investment and Development Bank of the Confederation of Sahel States (BCID-AES) was officially inaugurated on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, in Bamako, marking a major step in the implementation of the strategic vision of the AES Confederation, which brings together Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. The inauguration ceremony was held under the joint chairmanship of General Assimi Goïta, President of the Transition of Mali and President of the Confederation of Sahel States; General Abdourahamane Tiani, President of the Republic of Niger; and Captain Ibrahim Traoré, President of Burkina Faso. Their presence underscored the political unity and shared commitment of the three Sahelian states to building a sovereign and integrated economic space. Conceived as a key financial pillar of the Confederation, the BCID-AES is designed to mobilize endogenous resources and provide sustainable financing for large-scale, high-impact projects across the AES area. Its mandate includes the financing of strategic infrastructure, support for productive sectors, and the promotion of economic integration among member states. The Bank will prioritize investments in transport and regional connectivity, energy, agriculture and food security, industrial development, and support to private enterprises, with a particular focus on projects that generate employment and strengthen resilience in the Sahel. By creating the BCID-AES, the Heads of State reaffirmed their determination to reduce dependence on external financing mechanisms, strengthen economic sovereignty, and lay the foundations for inclusive and sustainable development driven by the needs and aspirations of Sahelian populations. The inauguration of the BCID-AES represents a structuring milestone in the confederal project and positions the Confederation of Sahel States as a proactive actor in shaping its own development trajectory through solidarity, cooperation, and strategic investment.