Jeremy Awori, the CEO of Ecobank, has been named one of the 100 Most Influential Africans by New African Magazine, a testament to his visionary leadership and Ecobank’s significant contributions to economic growth, financial inclusion, and innovation across the African continent.
As the head of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), Awori leads one of Africa’s most prominent financial institutions. With operations spanning 33 countries, Ecobank serves over 32 million customers across its consumer, commercial, corporate, and investment banking segments. The Group employs approximately 13,000 people and offers a comprehensive suite of financial solutions, including digital banking, wealth and asset management, and trade advisory.
Under Awori’s leadership, Ecobank has achieved remarkable milestones. The bank closed last year with revenues exceeding $25 billion and made history as the first African corporate entity to re-enter the international bond market in 2024, issuing a $400 million Eurobond.
Awori’s journey to the top of Africa’s financial sector is as inspiring as his accomplishments. He began his career as a pharmacist in the United Kingdom after earning a degree in Pharmacy from the University of Manchester. He later pursued an MBA in Finance and International Business at McGill University, Canada, which marked the beginning of his transition to banking.
At just 28 years old, Awori became Head of Retail Banking at Standard Chartered Bank Kenya.
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Over the years, he rose through the ranks, holding senior positions such as Regional Sales Director for the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa, and CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Tanzania. In 2013, he took on the role of CEO at Absa Bank Kenya, where he led the institution for nearly a decade before joining Ecobank in October 2022.
Since assuming the role of Group CEO, Awori has championed financial inclusion and digital transformation. His focus on innovation has driven initiatives such as cross-border payments, leveraging Ecobank’s extensive footprint across Africa to facilitate seamless transactions and foster economic integration.
Beyond his corporate achievements, Awori has become a respected voice on African business and policy matters. He has participated in high-level strategic retreats and discussions aimed at shaping the continent’s future.
Ecobank’s impact extends globally, with representative offices in major cities, including London, Dubai, Johannesburg, and Beijing, and a banking license in France. ETI is also listed on the Nigerian Exchange in Lagos, the Ghana Stock Exchange in Accra, and the Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières in Abidjan.
Awori’s inclusion in New African Magazine’s list places him among other illustrious figures, such as the industrialist Aliko Dangote, economist Hassatou Diop N’Sele, and tech entrepreneur Ismael Belkhayat.