Ecobank Côte d’Ivoire reported steady financial growth in 2025 and unveiled a strategy focused on digital expansion, financial inclusion and economic support for key sectors in 2026, the bank said following its annual general meeting in Abidjan.
The bank said it is entering a phase of stronger operational stability after several years of restructuring, supported by improved risk controls, tighter cost management and rising customer activity across deposits and lending.
Board Chairman Serge Thiémélé said 2025 marked a turning point for the institution.
“The bank is now operating at cruising speed,” he said, adding that improved efficiency and discipline had strengthened resilience in a “mixed regional and global environment.”
The lender, Ecobank Côte d’Ivoire, reported revenue of 132.7 billion CFA francs ($237 million), up 8.5 percent year-on-year, driven mainly by stronger net interest income.
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Net profit rose 10.5 percent, supported by higher revenues, lower loan-loss provisions of 1.8 billion CFA francs, and modest growth in operating expenses, which increased by just 3.6 percent.
Total assets climbed above 2,054.5 billion CFA francs, while customer deposits rose 15 percent to 1,626.2 billion CFA francs, reflecting what the bank described as stronger confidence among savers.
Loans increased 8 percent to 1,050.8 billion CFA francs, reinforcing the bank’s role in financing households and businesses in Côte d’Ivoire, one of West Africa’s fastest-growing economies.
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Shareholders approved a dividend of 888 CFA francs per share, corresponding to a payout ratio of around 77 percent. The bank also highlighted its strong performance on the regional stock market, noting it had been named the best listed company on the BRVM exchange in 2025 for governance, financial performance and social impact.
Looking ahead, Chief Executive Officer Paul-Harry Aithnard outlined a three-pronged strategy for 2026 aimed at deepening growth and strengthening the bank’s role in the real economy.
The first pillar focuses on accelerating digital transformation. The bank plans to invest further in mobile banking, paperless services and digital platforms to expand access to financial services, particularly for underbanked populations.
The second priority is innovation and financial inclusion, with a strong emphasis on agriculture and women-led enterprises. The bank said it would expand its dedicated agricultural financing team and scale up its “Ellever” programme for women entrepreneurs, which is backed by a 10 billion CFA franc gender bond, of which 9 billion has already been deployed.
The third pillar centres on supporting national development priorities under Côte d’Ivoire’s upcoming National Development Plan (2026–2030), which sets the framework for economic growth and private sector investment.
“The National Development Plan sets the country’s macroeconomic framework. Our strategy for the next five years is aligned with that framework,” Aithnard said, adding that financing small and medium-sized enterprises would remain central.
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The bank said it plans to increase lending to strategic sectors including agriculture, mining, industry, oil and gas, infrastructure, transport and logistics, as Côte d’Ivoire continues to position itself as a regional economic hub.
Analysts say the results reflect broader trends in West African banking, where strong deposit growth, digital adoption and SME financing are helping lenders expand despite global economic uncertainty.
However, they also note that sustaining momentum will depend on managing credit risk and navigating potential external shocks, including commodity price volatility and regional security pressures.
For now, Ecobank Côte d’Ivoire says it is focused on consolidating gains and expanding its footprint in key sectors of the economy while continuing its shift toward a more digital and inclusive banking model.
