Ayo Adepoju, new group executive director at Ecobank : promoting excellence from within
Ecobank Transnational Incorporated appointed its Chief Financial Officer, Ayo Adepoju, as Group Executive Director on June 4, 2025. Portrait of a high-caliber leader, trained within the pan-African bank, and now called upon to play an even more central role in its growth and transformation strategy.
On June 5, 2025, the Board of Directors of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), the parent company of the pan-African banking group Ecobank, officially announced the appointment of Ayo Adepoju as Group Executive Director, effective June 4. Until now Chief Financial Officer (CFO), this seasoned professional embodies the new generation of “homegrown” leaders—deeply rooted in African realities and equipped with global expertise.
A career built at the heart of the group
Having joined Ecobank in 2012, Ayo Adepoju has held several key positions: Group Financial Controller, Group Head of Business Performance and Analytics, and most recently Group CFO. In that role, he played a crucial part in the group’s financial transformation, the consolidation of its capital strategy, and the strengthening of its long-term resilience.
His field of expertise spans financial management, capital markets, strategic planning, fundraising, performance management, governance, risk-based audits, and organizational transformation.
Landmark transactions on international markets
Over the years, he has led landmark transactions, including Eurobond issues, Basel III-compliant instruments, and sustainability-linked bonds. These operations have strengthened Ecobank’s standing in international capital markets and enhanced the group’s financial transparency.
Before joining Ecobank, Ayo Adepoju worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in London and Lagos, within the Financial Services division.
Ayo has played a critical role in strengthening Ecobank’s financial resilience and enabling sustainable business growth
“On behalf of my fellow directors, I commend Ayo for his outstanding performance and warmly welcome him to the ETI board. His proven leadership has fostered trusted relationships with the Board and made this appointment both natural and strategic for the Group’s future,” said Papa Madiaw Ndiaye, Chairman of the Board.
He added: “His intellect, integrity, and impact-driven leadership have long been evident. His appointment to the Board is a testament to our belief in recognizing and elevating excellence from within.”
The same recognition comes from the Group CEO, Jeremy Awori, who salutes a key member of his executive team: “Ayo has played a critical role in strengthening Ecobank’s financial resilience and enabling sustainable business growth. His ability to manage complexity, innovate in financial strategy, align finance with enterprise-wide transformation, and lead collaboratively has made him a critical member of our executive team.”
Promoting african excellence
Holder of an MBA from Warwick Business School and a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from Regent University (USA), Ayo Adepoju graduated with First-Class Honours from the University of Lagos. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), UK.
He has also completed executive education programs at Wharton, London Business School, and in 2024, the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School. He is an official member of the Forbes Finance Council, a published author, and a recognized thought leader in financial and organizational strategy.
This appointment illustrates Ecobank’s commitment to valuing internal talent and building strong African leadership. It marks an important step in the group’s strategy, built on growth, transformation, and returns.
A strong group, but facing new challenges
Today, Ecobank operates in 35 African countries and remains one of the continent’s largest banking groups, supported by its unique pan-African network, strong local presence, and ability to operate in diverse economic environments. Its strengths lie in its robust digital platform, expertise in trade finance, and strategic focus on financial inclusion. However, the group still faces several challenges: improving profitability in key markets such as Nigeria, adapting to increasing regulatory requirements, managing geopolitical and currency risks, and accelerating digital transformation in the face of competition from fintechs.
Leading this new strategic phase, Ayo Adepoju will need to combine financial discipline, innovation, and agility to sustain the group’s growth while strengthening its position as a leader in the African banking sector.
