Zenith Bank Plc has officially announced the opening of its subsidiary in Côte d’Ivoire, marking a significant milestone in the Group’s Pan-African expansion drive and deepening its footprint in Francophone West Africa.
The official launch ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, April 29, 2026, and is expected to draw senior government officials and financial regulators from Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire, as well as continental business leaders and members of the diplomatic community. The event underscores growing economic ties and cross-border investment opportunities between both countries.
The new subsidiary was licensed in December 2025 by the Ministry of Finance and Budget of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire and is regulated by the UMOA Banking Commission. It will operate from its headquarters located at SCI Wall Street, Avenue Noguès, Plateau, Abidjan.
The launch positions Zenith Bank to strengthen financial intermediation within the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), leveraging Côte d’Ivoire’s strategic role as a regional commercial hub.
Zenith Bank Côte d’Ivoire will focus on corporate banking, trade finance, local and offshore banking services, and structured financial solutions tailored to businesses operating across Africa and international markets.
Commenting on the expansion, the Group Managing Director/CEO, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, said the move reflects the founding vision of the bank’s Chairman, Jim Ovia.
“From the very beginning, our Founder and Chairman, Jim Ovia CFR, set out to build a truly global brand with a strong presence across Africa and key international markets.
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The launch of Zenith Bank Côte d’Ivoire is a bold step in realising that vision; opening a strategic corridor into Francophone West Africa and reinforcing our commitment to facilitating trade, investment, and enterprise growth across the continent,” she said.
She added that the bank remains focused on delivering world-class financial solutions that connect African businesses to global opportunities while pursuing disciplined and strategic growth.
The new subsidiary will be led by Managing Director/CEO, Cédric Tano, a banking executive with over 20 years of industry experience. Speaking ahead of the launch, he expressed confidence in the bank’s prospects within the Ivorian market.
“We are proud to establish Zenith Bank’s presence in Côte d’Ivoire at a time of strong economic growth and increasing regional integration. Our focus is to position the Zenith brand as a customer-centric institution that combines global best practices with deep local insight,” Tano said.
He noted that the bank is well-positioned to support businesses with innovative financing solutions, facilitate cross-border trade, and contribute meaningfully to the growth of the Ivorian economy and the broader WAEMU region.
The Côte d’Ivoire expansion forms part of Zenith Bank’s wider continental growth strategy. Beyond its established operations in Anglophone West Africa, the bank has also commenced its entry process into the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) region, with Cameroon identified as a focal point.
Zenith Bank’s international footprint currently spans Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, the United Kingdom, France, the United Arab Emirates, and China, reflecting its ambition to bridge African markets with global financial centres.