Zenith Bank Plc has expanded its African footprint with the official launch of its subsidiary in Côte d’Ivoire, marking its entry into Francophone West Africa.
Gatekeepers News reports that the new subsidiary, Zenith Bank Côte d’Ivoire, received regulatory approval in December 2025 from the country’s Ministry of Finance and Budget and operates under the supervision of the West African Monetary Union Banking Commission. The bank will operate from its headquarters in Plateau, Abidjan’s main business district.
The official launch ceremony, held on April 29, 2026, attracted senior government officials, regulators from Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire, as well as business leaders, highlighting growing economic ties between Anglophone and Francophone markets in the region.
The expansion positions Zenith Bank — the first Nigerian bank to surpass a ₦5 trillion market capitalisation — to play a stronger role in facilitating cross-border trade and investment within the West African Economic and Monetary Union.
The subsidiary will focus on corporate banking, trade finance and structured financial solutions for businesses operating across Africa and globally.
Group Managing Director and CEO, Adaora Umeoji, described the move as strategic, noting that it opens a new corridor into Francophone markets while strengthening the bank’s role in connecting African businesses to global opportunities.
The subsidiary will be led by Managing Director and CEO Cédric Tano, who has over two decades of banking experience. He said the bank aims to combine global standards with local expertise to support businesses, drive financing innovation and contribute to economic growth in Côte d’Ivoire and the wider region.
The move is part of Zenith Bank’s broader expansion strategy targeting new African markets, particularly in Francophone regions. The bank has also indicated plans to expand into Central Africa, with Cameroon identified as a key next destination.
With an existing presence across several African countries and global financial centres, the latest expansion underscores Zenith Bank’s ambition to strengthen its position as a leading African financial institution while promoting regional economic integration and trade.
The development comes as Côte d’Ivoire’s banking sector continues to grow, making it an increasingly attractive destination for regional and international financial institutions.
