By Andrew Nsoseka
Ecobank, leading banking innovator on the African continent, has been named Best Retail Bank in Africa, at the prestigious African Banker Awards, where it was also nominated for African Bank of the Year award.
At the award ceremony on June 18, in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, the judges were particularly impressed by how Ecobank’s state-of-the-art products, services, functionality, and constant innovations provide 24/7 convenience, accessibility and affordability to meet the evolving needs and expectations of its customers across 33 African countries, whilst also successfully driving financial inclusion.
Reacting after receiving the award, Ade Ayeyemi, Group CEO of Ecobank said: “We are honoured to be recognised as Africa’s Best Retail Bank. This is testament to the success of our digital strategy and pan-African presence as we continue to drive financial integration, inclusive banking and playing a catalytic role in the transformation of Africa.
“We are constantly innovating to meet the needs of Africans, from our multi-functional Ecobank Mobile App, which has changed banking in Africa, to our KYC-lite Xpress account opening for the unbanked and the under-banked, and our Rapidtransfer App, for cross-border remittances to Africa at minimal or no cost. Our Xpress Point agencies further deliver face-to-face banking to thousands in local communities. The traditional banking model is changing and Ecobank will continue to play a pivotal and pioneering role in meeting the banking needs of millions of Africans,” Ade Ayeyemi said.
Nana Araba Abban, Acting Group Executive, Consumer Bank said: “Ecobank is making banking accessible, convenient and affordable, and we are continuing to broaden our innovative range of best-in-class products, services and functionality to enrich our customers’ experience and stay a step ahead of their evolving needs and expectations. To win the prestigious ‘Best Retail Bank’ Award two years running strongly indicates that our strategy and service is working for ever-increasing numbers of sub-Saharan Africans across our pan-African footprint.”