July 22, 2025—The Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank (YEIB), an initiative by the African Development Bank (AfDB), officially launched today in Liberia. This marks the beginning of a new wave of business financing and job creation opportunities for African youth.
According to AfDB President Akinwumi A. Adesina, the program is also set to launch soon in Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Côte d’Ivoire.
Adesina shared that “the Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank of Liberia, which we are launching today, was approved last year by the African Development Bank with financing of $16 million. I am delighted and proud that Liberia is the first country in Africa to launch its YEIB.”
The goal of the YEIB is to reshape how youth entrepreneurs access capital across Africa. Adesina explained why the existing systems are failing: “The systems of commercial banks are not made for young people. The only thing they see is risk. They’ll ask you to go and bring your house as collateral, but you’re only 18. Go and bring tax receipts for the last 30 years, but you’re only 21… Young people are not risky. We need to put our resources at risk on their behalf. If we don’t do this, that’ll be the biggest risk that Africa faces.”
With Nigeria among the next countries in line, this development signals a promising shift for youth employment, digital economy growth, and small business financing, with hopes of improved access to credit and sustainable development.