Ecobank Group, the leading pan-African banking conglomerate, has announced robust unaudited financial results for the first half of 2025, with profit before tax soaring 23% year-on-year to $398 million. The Group’s performance underscores the strength of its diversified business model, enhanced operational efficiency, and continued investments in digital transformation.
Despite facing economic headwinds in several of its key markets, Ecobank delivered net revenue growth of 12% to $1.1 billion, alongside a notable improvement in its cost-to-income ratio, which dropped to 49.1%—the best in over a decade.
Key Financial Highlights: H1 2025
| Metric | H1 2025 | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| Profit Before Tax | $398 million | +23% |
| Net Revenue | $1.1 billion | +12% |
| Cost-to-Income Ratio | 49.1% | Best in 10+ years |
| Customer Deposits | $23.9 billion | +$3.4 billion |
| Low-Cost Deposits (CASA) | 83% of total | Rising customer confidence |
| Non-Performing Loans (NPL) | 5.7% | Down from 6.7% in 2024 |
“Our strong results for the first half of 2025 reflect the resilience of our business, the success of our Growth, Transformation and Returns (GTR) strategy, and the power of a diversified banking model,” said Jeremy Awori, Group CEO of Ecobank.
Business Segment Performance
1. Corporate & Investment Banking
- Profit before tax: $323 million (+44% YoY)
- Growth fueled by:
- Strong client demand for foreign exchange and trade finance
- Improved asset and liability management
2. Consumer & Commercial Banking
- Profit before tax: $216 million (+10% YoY)
- Key drivers:
- Increased activity among SMEs
- Greater wallet share from high-value individuals
- Expansion in digital and retail banking services
Ecobank’s geographically diverse footprint yielded balanced results across all regions:
| Region | PBT (USD) | YoY Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Francophone West Africa | $176M | +12% |
| Anglophone West Africa | $175M | +19% |
| Nigeria | Significant contributor | +45% turnaround |
| Central, Eastern & Southern Africa | $207M | +27% |
Notably, Nigeria’s 45% growth signals a positive turnaround amid macroeconomic turbulence, while Ghana played a key role in Anglophone West Africa’s rebound.
Strengthened Asset Quality and Capital Buffers
- Non-performing loan (NPL) ratio fell to 5.7%, down from 6.7% at the end of 2024.
- The Group maintains capital buffers ~300 basis points above regulatory requirements, highlighting its strong risk management posture.
A major highlight of H1 2025 was Ecobank’s continued investment in technology and digital infrastructure, which included:
- Rollout of hundreds of new ATMs
- Enhanced loan management and transaction banking platforms
- Expansion of wealth management solutions
One of the most strategic moves was Ecobank’s landmark partnership with Google Cloud—the first of its kind by an African banking group—aimed at:
- Strengthening data architecture
- Enhancing cybersecurity
- Scaling payment innovation across its markets
“Through our Google Cloud partnership, we are embracing cutting-edge cloud technologies to transform how we serve customers, manage data, and deliver new digital products at scale,” Awori noted.
Customer deposits surged by $3.4 billion to $23.9 billion, with 83% now in low-cost current and savings accounts (CASA)—a sign of growing trust in Ecobank’s platform across Africa.
As Ecobank approaches its 40th anniversary, it is doubling down on efforts to:
- Deepen financial inclusion
- Unlock long-term value for customers, shareholders, and communities
- Expand access to digital banking tools across underserved markets
“We remain committed to delivering world-class financial services and being a trusted financial partner to millions across the continent,” Awori concluded.
