He doesn’t chase headlines — but the numbers speak volumes. Since stepping into the role of Group CEO at Ecobank in March 2023, Jeremy Awori has quietly redefined the trajectory of Africa’s largest pan-African banking group. With a leadership style rooted in discipline, clarity, and long-term vision, he’s ushering in a new era for the institution — one focused on innovation, integration, and impact.
Born in Nairobi in 1971 to a Kenyan father and British mother, Awori’s path to the top of African finance was anything but conventional. He began his career as a pharmacist in the UK after earning a degree in Pharmacy from the University of Manchester. But it was his MBA in Finance and International Business from McGill University in Canada that launched his journey into banking.
At just 28, he became Head of Retail Banking at Standard Chartered Kenya — a meteoric rise that would take him through senior roles in the UAE, Tanzania, and eventually to the helm of Absa Bank Kenya, where he led the institution for nearly a decade. There, he oversaw the complex rebranding from Barclays to Absa and positioned the bank as a digital and retail leader in East Africa.
When he joined Ecobank Group in 2023, headquartered in Lomé, Togo, he inherited a vast network spanning 35 African countries, serving over 32 million customers with a workforce of 13,000 employees. His mission: to transform Ecobank into the go-to financial platform for Africa’s trade, investment, and digital banking future.
And the results are already showing:
- In 2024, Ecobank reported over $25 billion in consolidated revenues
- The bank successfully issued a $400 million Eurobond, marking its return to international capital markets
- Cross-border payment solutions were expanded across West, Central, and East Africa
- Digital adoption surged, with mobile and online platforms becoming the primary channels for millions of customers
- Strategic partnerships with fintechs and SMEs were deepened to drive financial inclusion
But beyond the numbers, Awori’s leadership is defined by purpose. He champions governance, gender equity, and youth empowerment, and is known for cultivating a culture of accountability and innovation within the bank.
“Africa doesn’t need imported models. It needs strong institutions led by Africans who believe in its potential,” he often says.
Under his guidance, Ecobank has reinforced its role as a continental connector — linking regional markets, supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and offering a single gateway for payments, trade, and investment.
With representative offices in London, Paris, Dubai, Beijing, and Johannesburg, and listings on stock exchanges in Lagos, Accra, and Abidjan, Ecobank is now more than a bank — it’s a symbol of African financial sovereignty.
And at the helm, Jeremy Awori continues to lead with quiet resolve, proving that the future of African banking belongs to those who build it from within.