ECOTREND : Ecobank Cameroon, Bank of the Year 2025 according to “The Banker”, a model of innovation and inclusion
La voix des entreprises 
Gwendoline Abunaw, Managing Director of Ecobank Cameroon
(LVDE) – For the second consecutive year, Ecobank Cameroon has been named “Bank of the Year 2025” by the renowned British magazine “The Banker”. This distinction highlights the bank’s efforts in digital optimization, women’s financial inclusion, and its commitment to regional economic development.
Ecobank Cameroon, a subsidiary of the pan-African Ecobank Group, has just won a prestigious award after being named “Bank of the Year 2025” by The Banker, a respected publication of the Financial Times. This award, which goes beyond financial performance alone, is granted following a rigorous assessment of the bank’s initiatives, highlighting not only its resilience in the face of economic challenges but also its capacity for innovation. The judges were particularly impressed by Ecobank’s efforts to create value for its customers and the communities in which it operates.
Gwendoline Abunaw, Managing Director of Ecobank Cameroon, emphasized that this recognition is the result of an ongoing strategic transformation. “Our journey has been marked by a complete overhaul of customer onboarding processes and the development of our women-focused financing platform, Ellevate,” she said. These efforts demonstrate Ecobank’s commitment to progress and continuous improvement.
Digital optimization has been at the heart of the bank’s initiatives. The creation of the “Transformation Squad” team has helped accelerate processing timelines. As a result, account opening times have been reduced by 65%, while loan application processing has been shortened from six to three days. These notable improvements make banking services more accessible and efficient for customers.
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In addition, the “Single Market Trade Hub” platform represents a significant step forward for intra-African trade. Through this digital solution, Ecobank facilitates connections between Cameroonian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and regional business opportunities. Within one year, the number of customers registered on the platform quadrupled, rising from 219 to 885, illustrating its role as a catalyst for economic integration across the continent.
The Ellevate program, dedicated to supporting women entrepreneurs, has also recorded strong growth. Since its launch, more than 2,000 women-led businesses have been onboarded, with loans totaling CFA 4.8 billion disbursed. This support demonstrates Ecobank’s determination to promote economic equity by offering solutions tailored to the challenges faced by women in business.
Beyond its national achievements, Ecobank represents not just one country, but the expertise of a group strengthened by cooperation across six other countries, including Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and The Gambia—all recognized by *The Banker* for their progress. This ranking highlights the group’s collective efforts to make banking more accessible and inclusive across the African continent.
The award ceremony took place on December 3, 2025, in London, marking a moment of celebration not only for Ecobank Cameroon, but for the entire Ecobank network. This recognition further strengthens the bank’s reputation as a key player in the African financial sector and underscores the importance of innovation and inclusion in building a resilient and prosperous banking future. By embracing a dynamic approach, Ecobank Cameroon continues to stand out as a model of excellence in the regional banking landscape.
Tressy Chouente
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