Istanbul, Turkey, October 5, 2009—IFC,
a member of the World Bank Group, announced today it has awarded its annual
Client Leadership Award to Ecobank, a pan-African bank with a network of
over 500 branches in 27 countries, in recognition of its support for IFC’s
strategic priority to reach frontier markets and create greater access
to finance in Africa.
After receiving a record number of nominations
this year, IFC took the unusual step of deciding to make two equal client
awards, one to Ecobank in the financial-sector category, and one to Brazil’s
Anhanguera Educacional Participações in the real-sector category.
The annual award recognizes IFC clients
that reflect our values and demonstrate leadership, innovation, operational
excellence, strong corporate governance, and a commitment to socially and
environmentally sustainable development.
“This award acknowledges Ecobank’s
commitment to improving access to finance across Africa,” said Arnold
Ekpe, CEO of the Ecobank Group. “The IFC Client Leadership Award is an
important achievement for Ecobank as it recognizes our strong partnership
and our shared commitment to building inclusive financial markets.”
IFC’s relationship with Ecobank started
16 years ago with an investment in Ecobank Ghana. Since then, IFC has invested
in a number of the group’s subsidiaries, as well as investing in the group’s
holding company in 1999 and 2008. IFC has also supported improvements in
the group’s governance structure and social and environmental standards.
“Ecobank’s success illustrates in
very human terms the development impact that IFC is trying to achieve and
the benefits of extending financial services to people and places that
need them the most,” said Lars Thunell, IFC Executive Vice President and
CEO. “Working with Ecobank’s extensive network has enabled IFC to have
a larger impact supporting the development of the private sector in numerous
economic sectors and countries across Africa.”
The award ceremony took place on Sunday,
October 4 during the 2009 Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and the
International Monetary Fund in Istanbul.
About IFC
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, creates opportunity for people to
escape poverty and improve their lives. We foster sustainable economic
growth in developing countries by supporting private sector development,
mobilizing private capital, and providing advisory and risk mitigation
services to businesses and governments. Our new investments totaled $15
billion in fiscal 2009, helping channel capital into developing countries
during the financial crisis. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.
About Ecobank
Incorporated in 1985, Ecobank Transnational
Incorporated is the parent company of the leading independent regional
banking group in Africa. The bank is listed on the stock exchanges in Côte
d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Nigeria. The Ecobank Group operates in 28 African
countries and a 29th subsidiary in France, and is owned by more
than 7,000 shareholders. The group has over 11,000 employees in over 700
branches. Ecobank is a full-service bank that provides wholesale, retail,
investment, and transaction banking services and products to governments,
financial institutions, multinationals, international organizations, micro,
small, and medium businesses, and individuals. For more information,
visit www.ecobank.com.
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