Zenith Bank Plc has opened a subsidiary in Côte d'Ivoire as part of its strategy to expand its footprint in Francophone West Africa and enhance financial intermediation within the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU). The subsidiary, which received its license in December 2025 from the Ministry of Finance and Budget of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire and is regulated by the UMOA Banking Commission, will operate from its headquarters at SCI Wall Street, Avenue Noguès, Plateau, Abidjan.
Official Opening Ceremony
An official opening ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, April 29, 2026, and is expected to attract senior government officials and regulators from both Nigeria and Côte d'Ivoire, as well as business leaders and members of the diplomatic community.
Strategic Focus
The bank stated that the new subsidiary is strategically positioned to support cross-border trade and investment, with a focus on corporate banking, trade finance, local and offshore banking services, and structured financial solutions for businesses operating across Africa and internationally.
Leadership Comments
Group Managing Director, Dame Dr Adaora Umeoji, said the expansion reflects the vision of the bank’s Founder and Chairman, Jim Ovia, to build a global brand with a strong presence across Africa and key international markets. She described the launch as “a bold step opening a strategic corridor into Francophone West Africa and reinforcing our commitment to facilitating trade, investment, and enterprise growth across the continent.” Umeoji added that the bank remains focused on delivering banking solutions that connect African businesses to global opportunities.
Local Leadership
The subsidiary will be led by Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Cédric Tano, who noted that the bank’s entry into Côte d'Ivoire comes at a time of strong economic growth and increasing regional integration. He emphasized that the bank aims to combine global best practices with local market insight to support businesses, facilitate cross-border trade, and contribute to economic growth in Côte d'Ivoire and the wider WAEMU region.
