Ecobank Elevates Ayo Adepoju to Group Executive Director Role.

Friday 6th June 2025

By inAfrika Reporter

Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), the parent entity of the pan-African Ecobank Group, has nominated long-serving Group Chief Financial Officer Ayo Adepoju as its new Group Executive Director. This strategic promotion, effective early June, acknowledges Adepoju’s instrumental contributions to the bank’s financial growth and structural resilience.

Adepoju, a finance leader with almost 20 years of institutional experience, has guided landmark financial transactions, including Eurobond issuance, Basel III-compliant instruments, and groundbreaking sustainability-linked debt offerings. These deals have advanced Ecobank’s position in global capital markets, reinforcing its transparency and investor readiness.

Since joining Ecobank in 2012, Adepoju has progressed through critical leadership roles: Group Financial Controller, Head of Business Performance & Analytics, and CFO. His earlier career includes tenure at PwC in London and Lagos, where he served in the Financial Services Practice.

Papa Madiaw Ndiaye, ETI Chairman, lauded Adepoju’s “intellect, integrity, and impact-driven leadership,” noting that this promotion recognizes his pivotal role within the Group. Adepoju’s board appointment reflects a strategic move to reinforce internal leadership capacity.

Jeremy Awori, Group CEO, praised Adepoju’s role in enabling sustainable growth through transformative financial and strategic alignment across the organization. “His ability to manage complexity, innovate in financial strategy has made him a critical member of our executive team,” Awori said.

Adepoju’s formidable academic credentials include a First-Class Honours degree from the University of Lagos, an ICAN and CIMA fellowship, an MBA from Warwick Business School, and a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from Regent University. He has also enhanced his expertise through executive programs at Wharton, London Business School, and Harvard Business School.

As a member of the Forbes Finance Council and a published thought leader, Adepoju merges technical excellence with strategic clarity. His leadership is expected to guide Ecobank through its “Growth, Transformation and Returns” plan.

The move reinforces Ecobank’s commitment to career progression from within, spotlighting internal talent and expertise. As Executive Director, Adepoju will help shape policy, governance, and risk frameworks, playing a crucial role in delivering sustainable performance across Ecobank’s operations in over 30 African markets.

This appointment signals a new phase in Ecobank’s evolution: one guided by leaders steeped in the bank’s culture and Africa-driven ambition.