ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire — Zenith Bank Plc has launched its subsidiary in Côte d’Ivoire, deepening its pan-African expansion and establishing a presence in the Francophone West African market, the bank announced on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.
Okay News reports that the official opening ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, April 29, 2026, and is expected to draw senior government officials and regulators from Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire.
The new subsidiary, Zenith Bank Côte d’Ivoire, was licensed in December 2025 by the Ministry of Finance and Budget of Côte d’Ivoire and is regulated by the UMOA Banking Commission. It will operate from its headquarters on Avenue Noguès in the Plateau district of Abidjan.
Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank Plc, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, said the launch marks a strategic milestone. “From the very beginning, our Founder and Chairman, Jim Ovia CFR, set out to build a truly global brand with a strong presence across Africa and key international markets. The launch of Zenith Bank Côte d’Ivoire is a bold step in realising that vision; opening a strategic corridor into Francophone West Africa and reinforcing our commitment to facilitating trade, investment, and enterprise growth across the continent. As we continue to expand thoughtfully and strategically, we remain focused on delivering world-class banking solutions that connect African businesses to global opportunities,” she said.
Mr. Cédric Tano, appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the new subsidiary, said, “We are proud to establish Zenith Bank’s presence in Côte d’Ivoire at a time of strong economic growth in the country and increasing regional integration. Our focus is to showcase the Zenith brand as a customer-centric institution that combines global best practices with deep local insight. We are well positioned to support businesses with innovative financing solutions, facilitate cross-border trade, and contribute meaningfully to the growth of the Ivorian economy and the wider WAEMU region.”
The bank will focus on corporate banking, trade finance, local and offshore banking services, and structured financial solutions. The Côte d’Ivoire launch is part of a broader continental growth strategy that includes entry into the CEMAC region with Cameroon as the focal point.
Zenith Bank already operates in Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, the United Kingdom, France, the UAE, and China. Founded in 1990, the bank has recorded 16 consecutive years as the Nigerian banking industry’s highest Tier-1 capital holder.
