Zenith Bank unveils Cote d’Ivoire subsidiary to boost West Africa presence

Zenith Bank Plc has announced the opening of its Cote d’Ivoire subsidiary, marking a pivotal achievement in the Group’s Pan-African expansion strategy.

The official opening ceremony, scheduled to hold on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, is expected to attract senior government officials and regulators from Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire, continental business leaders, and members of the diplomatic community.

Zenith Bank, in a statement issued on Tuesday, said the new subsidiary, licensed in December 2025 by Cote d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Finance and Budget and regulated by the UMOA Banking Commission, will commence operations from its headquarters at SCI Wall Street, Avenue Nogues, Plateau, Abidjan.

Zenith Bank stated that the launch represents a strategic move to deepen the bank’s presence in Francophone West Africa and strengthen financial intermediation within the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU).

The bank noted that the subsidiary will focus on corporate banking, trade finance, local and offshore banking services, and structured financial solutions tailored to businesses operating across Africa and internationally.

Speaking on the launch, the Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank, Dr Adaora Umeoji, said: “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 Cote 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.

“As we continue to expand thoughtfully and strategically, we remain focused on delivering world-class banking solutions that connect African businesses to global opportunities.”

The new subsidiary will be headed by MD/CEO Cedric Tano, a seasoned banking executive with over two decades of experience.

Speaking ahead of the official opening, Tano said: “We are proud to establish Zenith Bank’s presence in Cote d’Ivoire at a time of strong economic growth in the country and increasing regional integration.

“Our focus is to showcase the Zenith brand as a customer-centric institution that combines global best practices with deep local insight. We are 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 wider WAEMU region.”