Finance ministers from member states of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), namely Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, have called for the accelerated operationalisation of the Confederal Bank for Investment and Development. The bank aims to enhance financial independence and strengthen economic sovereignty within the Alliance. The ministers have agreed to release the necessary capital for the bank within the required time frame, and also to continue consultations to implement the regional investment bank's priority initiatives. Thami Ngubeni spoke to Austin Aigbe, an Advocacy Officer and ECOWAS (Economic Community Of West African States) Liaison Lead, at the West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network (WADEMOS).