The Alliance of Sahel States (AES), bringing together Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, has launched the Confederation Investment and Development Bank (BCID-AES). Capitalised at 500 billion CFA francs, around $895 million, the new lender is designed to finance infrastructure, energy and agricultural projects across the three countries. Funded in part by national tax revenues, the bank is seen by finance ministers as a strategic tool to strengthen economic sovereignty and reduce reliance on foreign donors, while supporting long-term regional development.
