Ecobank Named Africa’s Best Bank for Trade Finance

Thursday, March 20 2025

By Inafrika Reporter,

Ecobank Group has been named Best Trade Finance Provider Bank in Africa at the prestigious Global Finance Trade Finance & Supply Chain Finance Awards 2025. In addition, Ecobank’s affiliates in Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, and Rwanda were each recognized as the Best Trade Finance Provider in their respective markets.

Michael Larbie, Group Executive for Corporate and Investment Banking, highlighted the bank’s commitment to advancing trade finance solutions across the continent. “We are focused on delivering a wide range of trade finance solutions and excellent trade services to our clients, leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area’s single market. This is exemplified by our innovative ‘Ecobank Single Market Trade Hub,’ which digitally connects buyers and suppliers across the continent and serves as a gateway to our comprehensive suite of trade finance products and services. At Ecobank, we are relentless in our efforts to be the bank of choice for Africans and their businesses, and in our absolute commitment to delivering a Better Africa.”

With an extensive presence in 35 sub-Saharan African countries, Ecobank provides comprehensive trade solutions to its customers, facilitating both domestic and cross-border transactions. The bank offers a range of unique intra-Africa trade services, ensuring efficient settlements for international trade transactions while mitigating payment risks. Its trade finance solutions focus on structured trade and commodity finance, trade services, and supply chain finance. Ecobank collaborates closely with its clients to streamline key transaction processes, including settlement, financing, risk mitigation, credit enhancement, and adherence to exchange control regulations.

The Global Finance Trade Finance & Supply Chain Finance Awards judges selected Ecobank as Africa’s top trade finance provider based on comprehensive evaluations by industry analysts, corporate executives, and technology experts. The selection criteria included trade-related transaction volume, global coverage, customer service, competitive pricing, risk management, and innovation in trade finance products and services.

The awards were presented at a ceremony during the BAFT Europe Bank-to-Bank Forum in Amsterdam on March 12, 2025, where Ecobank received its accolades among global banking leaders. This latest recognition further cements Ecobank’s position as a leading trade finance institution in Africa, reinforcing its mission to enhance economic growth and facilitate seamless trade across the continent and beyond.