European Bank to open first office in Nigeria during Matteo Patrone’s visit

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will officially open its first office in Lagos Nigeria during a three-day visit by its Vice President for Banking, Matteo Patrone, marking a major milestone in the bank’s expansion into sub-Saharan Africa and its commitment to boosting private sector investment.

The opening of the office in July 3, 2026, which will also be attended by Nigeria’s Finance Minister, Taiwo Oyedele, represents an important milestone in the Bank’s operations in sub Saharan Africa, reinforcing its commitment to supporting sustainable infrastructure, enhancing competitiveness and fostering economic resilience.

In the course of his visit, Patrone will also meet private-sector representatives, development partners and Gautier Mignot, the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, to discuss investment opportunities and support for private sector-led growth in Nigeria. This visit reflects the Bank’s commitment to strengthening its presence in the country and supporting private-sector development and investment.

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Matteo Patrone said: “The opening of our office in Lagos marks an important step in the EBRD’s work in Nigeria. As one of Africa’s largest and most dynamic economies, Nigeria offers significant opportunities for private‑sector investment and growth. Our presence on the ground will allow us to work more closely with partners to support sustainable infrastructure, strengthen businesses and help build a more resilient and competitive economy.”

Patrone will be joined by Heike Harmgart, the EBRD’s managing director for Sub Saharan Africa, and Hamza Al Assad, its head of Nigeria.

Nigeria became an EBRD shareholder and a country of operation in 2025, with over €150 million invested to date and US$ 100 million (€85 million) trade finance facility. This is part of the Bank’s strategic engagement in sub Saharan Africa, with a focus on supporting private sector-led growth and investment

Hope Moses-Ashike

Hope Moses-Ashike is an Associate Editor, Banking and Finance, with more than a decade of experience reporting on Nigeria’s financial system and broader economy. She closely tracks market movements, monetary policy decisions, company disclosures, regulatory actions, economic indicators, and global developments, and interprets what they mean for businesses, investors, policymakers, and households. Her reporting helps readers understand complex issues such as inflation trends, foreign exchange market dynamics, interest rate decisions, bank performance, and investment risks. She also covers major international events and periodically travels to Washington, D.C., to report on the World Bank/IMF Spring and Annual Meetings. Her dedication to financial journalism has earned her multiple recognitions and invitations to high-level professional development programmes. She is an alumna of the International Visitors Leadership Programme (IVLP) in the United States and holds an Advanced Financial Journalism Certificate from the Press Association Training in London, UK. Her other notable achievements include completing the Lagos Business School CMC Programme, the Bloomberg Media Africa Initiative Programme, and a Master Class in Journalism at Rhodes University in South Africa.