AFRICA–CHINA COOPERATION : Ecobank Group and Bank of China Strengthen Their Partnership with the Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding
La voix des entreprises 
(LVDE) — On December 12, 2025, Ecobank Group and Bank of China strengthened their collaboration through a new agreement aimed at enhancing trade and financial services between China and Africa, thereby extending a partnership that spans fifteen years.
December 12, 2025, will be remembered as a significant milestone in Africa–China economic cooperation. On that date, Ecobank Group, the leading pan-African banking group, formalized a memorandum of understanding with Bank of China (Mauritius) Limited. The agreement seeks to deepen collaboration across several areas, including trade finance, international payments, and financial services, with the objective of boosting economic activity between the two regions.
This new agreement builds on a partnership dating back to 2010 and follows recent engagements, including a notable visit by Ecobank representatives to the headquarters of Bank of China. The memorandum of understanding underscores the commitment of both banks to develop financing solutions tailored to the needs of African and Chinese businesses, with particular emphasis on transactions denominated in Renminbi (RMB), China’s official currency.
In a rapidly evolving global trade environment, this initiative represents a critical tool for facilitating financial transactions and securing monetary flows. By offering more efficient settlement mechanisms, the partnership aims to help businesses overcome common challenges associated with international payments. In addition, the two institutions plan to share technical expertise, thereby supporting economic growth across the African continent.
“This renewed partnership with Bank of China will deliver tangible results in trade finance and renminbi solutions,” said Jeremy Awori, Group Chief Executive Officer of Ecobank. According to him, the collaboration will also enable the rollout of new services across their network, better meeting client expectations and strengthening the economic corridor linking China and Africa.
Beyond transactional benefits, this agreement is part of a broader context of deepening Sino-African relations, which have gained strong momentum over the past two decades. China has established itself as Africa’s leading trading partner, reaching unprecedented levels of bilateral trade. According to data from China’s General Administration of Customs, trade between China and Africa surpassed the USD 300 billion mark for the first time, reaching USD 314.413 billion in the first eleven months of this year—an increase of 17.8% year-on-year.
During the same period, Chinese exports to Africa recorded a remarkable 26.3% increase, while imports from Africa rose by 5.2%. These figures illustrate not only the expansion of trade flows, but also the growing opportunities Africa represents for China.
In conclusion, the agreement between Ecobank and Bank of China goes far beyond a simple renewal of partnership; it reflects a shared determination to promote sustainable economic growth and enhance financial integration between two dynamic regions. As cooperation deepens, both institutions are positioning themselves to play a key role in shaping the next phase of Sino-African relations, paving the way for new opportunities for businesses on both continents.
Tressy Chouente
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