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Despite a challenging macroeconomic environment, Ecobank Group Plc has magnified its profit, a stellar performance that reflects strong execution of the lender’s Growth, Transformation, and Returns (GTR) strategy and the resilience of its diversified pan-African business model.
The pan-African lender has impressed on all financial metrics, as a diversified risk management strategy transmogrified into good asset quality.
Modest margin expansion driven by lower interest rates paid on interest-bearing deposits, robust client-driven foreign exchange activity, asset-liability management actions, and higher payment fees, profit after tax (PAT) spiked by 39.49 percent to N433.87 billion in June 2025 from N311.02 billion the previous year.
The return on shareholders’ equity (ROE) rose to 29.40 percent in June 2025 from 27.90 percent as at June 2024.
Gross earnings were up 23.65 percent to N2.30 trillion in the first six months of 2025, from N1.86 trillion as at June 2024, thanks to modest margin expansion from lower funding costs, an increase in the average balances of investment securities in the CIB business in UEMOA, and substantial non-funded related fees.
Noninterest revenue increased by 28.38 percent to N766.14 billion in June 2025 from N596.76 billion the previous year. Net fee and commission increased by 25.97 percent to N483.83 billion, mainly due to growth in cash management fees, customer-deposit related fees, Card revenues, and brokerage fees and commissions.
Fees from net trading income and foreign exchange gains increased by N63.10 billion to N294.05 billion, driven by treasury management actions and higher income in foreign currency sales due to robust client activity.
Through strong revenue growth, disciplined cost management, and operational efficiency, Ecobank Group reduced its cost-to-income ratio below 50 percent for the first time in a decade.
The Bank’s asset quality has improved during the period as non-performing Loans (NPLs) was 5.7 percent in the period under review and has been improving from 7 percent since the first quarter of 2024.
There are ample liquidity buffers with a loan-to-deposit ratio of 49.0 percent and a loan-to-asset of 36.2 percent compared to 53.7 percent and 39.3 percent, respectively, in the prior year.
Deposit from customers were up 13.58 percent to N39.47 trillion, reflecting a deepening relationship and primary customer account growth.
Ecobank Consumer and Commercial Banking businesses continued to build momentum, generating $3.4 billion in new deposits, 83 percent of which were low-cost CASA accounts. The lender enhanced its Corporate and Investment Banking capabilities, improved profitability across major markets, and saw encouraging performance in the CESA region.
“We also made meaningful investments in technology, distribution, and customer experience, rolling out hundreds of new ATMs, enhancing our mobile and business apps, and growing our Xpress Point agency banking network,” said Jeremy Awori, CEO of Ecobank Group
“Furthermore, we invested in advanced loan management systems, transaction banking platforms, and wealth management solutions to ensure our customers receive world-class products and services,” said Awori.
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