Ecobank Group’s 2025 in Review

As it celebrated its 40th year since incorporation, Ecobank, the banking group with the largest financial footprint in Africa, with a presence in 34 countries, recorded an increase in deposits of 24% to $25.3 billion, while net loans to customers went up by 19% to $11.8 billion. It ended 2025 with assets of $34.5 billion, up 23%, and a profit before tax of $801 million, a 21% increase from $657 million the previous year.

Revenue was up 17% to $2.45 billion, and the growth was well balanced: Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, which was the best performing region, accounted for 26% of assets and 37% of profits, while Anglophone West Africa did 23% and 28%, and Francophone West Africa had 37% and 35% of the same. Nigeria, which accounts for 10% of group assets, was the only region that did not record a profit, mainly due to a fourfold increase in provisions to settle legacy bad debts, as management sought to finally address asset quality and capital issues there.  

Continued implementation of Ecobank's Growth, Transformation and Returns (GTR) strategy, through technology platform investments and partnerships, led to a cost-to-income ratio of 48.3% in 2025, compared to 52.8% the previous year, as revenue went up by 17% compared to a 6% increase in costs. Revenue was more balanced, with 52% from the Corporate & Investment Banking (CIB) side and 48% from the Consumer & Commercial Banking business. CIB achieved revenues of more than $1 billion for the first time, and Ecobank's trade finance loan book increased to $2.3 billion, as it supported more African businesses to grow their trade across borders. 

Ecobank processed digital transactions worth $133 billion, a 30% increase. Payment revenue went up to $305 million, representing 12% of group revenue. This was led by fund disbursements of $145 million, while customer usage of the 8.6 million cards issued resulted in card-related income of $101 million.

To address a gender financing gap on the continent, Ellevate by Ecobank provides support to women-led businesses, and in 2025, it lent over $515 million to women, increasing its portfolio by 194%. The Ellevate program will also benefit from a risk-sharing partnership with the Africa Guarantee Fund to extend financing coverage of 50% to women-owned and SME enterprises in 27 countries.  

Finally, the board of Ecobank has decided to resume a dividend and have the 600,000+ shareholders share a $40 million payment. The shares trade on three African stock exchanges of Abidjan, Accra, and Lagos. The Board has balanced dividends against the need to maintain reserves against exchange rate fluctuations across its markets. The Group's capital adequacy ratio (CAR) rose to 16.7% in 2025, from 15.8% in 2024.

With its strong revenue growth, leaner costs and capital priorities balanced, the Ecobank Group enters its fifth decade as an institution well positioned to deepen financial inclusion and support trade across the African continent.