Ecobank: Africa’s banking champion leaps forward

Ecobank has become the most widespread bank in Africa. Its chief executive, Arnold Ekpe, says the focus is now on revenues and efficiency. But with major acquisitions recently announced, Ecobank’s ambitions for growth have not let up. Dominic O’Neill speaks to the bank’s leadership.

The final frontier: Africa for brave investors

THE YOUTHFUL CHAMPION of Africa’s emerging banking sector, Ecobank, leaps again. In late July, the Togo-based firm agreed to acquire Nigeria’s Oceanic Bank. At group level, the deal could increase Ecobank’s pan-African assets and branch network by around 50%. Even within Nigeria, Ecobank’s domestic operations now look likely to rise from the middle to the top tier of the country’s domestic banks in terms of its asset book and branch network.

Thanks for your interest in Euromoney!
To unlock this article: