Ecobank names Kenyan banking exec Jeremy Awori as CEO

The board of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, a pan-African banking conglomerate, has finally announced the appointment of Jeremy Awori as its CEO.

The announcement follows a flurry of media reports that claimed Awori, the departing CEO of Nairobi-based Absa Bank Kenya, was moving to West Africa to lead Ecobank.

The news comes after Absa Bank Kenya announced Awori’s resignation as managing director and CEO on Thurs., Sept. 8, following nearly 10 years of outstanding leadership, service, and contribution.

Awori will succeed Ade Ayeyemi as the CEO of Ecobank. Ayeyemi will retire once he turns 60 in accordance with the bank’s policy. The pan-African bank stated that the effective date of Awori’s appointment will be communicated in the near future.

Awori is a well-respected leader in the banking sector, according to Ecobank Chairman Alain Nkontchou, who also commented on Awori’s appointment.

“The board of directors strongly believes that his drive and strong focus on results will be vital in steering the group in its next phase,” Nkontchou said.

“It is a great honor to be appointed Ecobank Group’s chief executive officer,” Awori said in reaction to the announcement of his appointment. “I am humbled by the opportunity to contribute to the continent’s economic development and financial integration with Ecobank Group.”

“I look forward to consolidating the transformation of Ecobank, a truly pan-African institution full of talented people, while innovating to create value for all Ecobank’s stakeholders,” he added.

Prior to joining Absa, Awori held numerous leadership positions at Standard Chartered Bank in the Middle East and Africa.