Research Team Development Banks: The Next Generation of National Development Banks (NDBs): Early Lessons from Ghana and Nigeria

As major sources of development finance —such as official development assistance (ODA)—decline, the role of national development banks (NDBs) in mobilizing domestic resources for sustainable development is becoming more critical. Accordingly, understanding how new NDBs mature into strong, independent institutions with expanding, mandate-aligned loan portfolios and diversified funding sources is crucial for drawing lessons for both emerging and existing NDBs.

Project Lead:
Christoph Sommer
Yabibal Walle

Prof. Dr. Joshua Yindenaba Abor (University of Ghana Business School)
Dr. Daniel Ofori-Sasu (University of Ghana Business School)

Project Team:

  • Ama Sarpong Asante (Sustainability Science, Policy and Society) 
  • Robel Ghebrehanes (Political Science) 
  • Muna Osman (African Studies) 
  • Paul Saupe (International Relations/Global Political Economy) 
  • Anna-Lena Sprenger (International Relations) 
  • Elisa Priscilla Toto (Sustainable Development)

Financing:
Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

Time frame:
2025 - 2026 / ongoing

Co-operation Partner:

University of Ghana Business School (UBGS)

Project description

This study examines how newly established national development banks (NDBs) in West Africa – specifically, the Development Bank Ghana (DBG) and the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) - evolve into strong, independent development banks with growing loan portfolios aligned with their mandates and increasingly diversified funding sources. The objective is to identify best practices and lessons learned both for establishing new NDBs and for improving the performance and development of existing NDBs, including relevant insights to DBN and DBG.

The study uses a mixed-methods approach, primarily relying on in-depth qualitative data obtained through semi-structured interviews with experts and stakeholders. Other data sources will also be used, such as document analysis and data provided by the NDBs.