By:ThinkBusiness Africa
Lagos, Nigeria – Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) reported an unaudited pretax profit of N1.28 trillion for the 2025 financial year. The result represents a massive 30% surge over the previous year’s performance, underscoring the success of the bank’s aggressive “Growth, Transformation, and Returns” (GTR) strategy.
The pan-African financial institution’s performance was driven by a diversified revenue base and a sharp improvement in operational efficiency, with total assets now approaching the N50 trillion milestone.
Ecobank’s 2025 financial performance was characterized by double-digit growth across all major indicators. The group’s gross earnings climbed 14% to N4.82 trillion, up from N4.21 trillion in 2024, while revenue grew by 18% to reach N3.67 trillion.
This robust top-line expansion directly bolstered the bottom line, with profit before tax surging 30% to N1.28 trillion compared to N986.7 billion the previous year. Similarly, profit after tax saw a 29% increase, closing at N950.0 billion.
This growth was supported by a strong appetite for the bank’s services, evidenced by customer deposits increasing 16% to N36.56 trillion, up from N31.64 trillion in 2024.
A standout feature of the 2025 report is the bank’s lean operation. Ecobank’s cost-to-income ratio (CIR) dropped to 48.0%, down from 54.5% in the prior year. This is the lowest the bank has recorded in over a decade, signaling that it is successfully growing its top-line revenue without a proportional increase in administrative costs.
“Our 2025 results reflect the resilience of our diversified model. By focusing on digital innovation and low-cost deposit mobilization, we have achieved a Return on Tangible Equity (ROTE) of 31.2%, delivering exceptional value to our shareholders.” Jeremy Awori, CEO of Ecobank Group said.
With tangible book value per share rising by over 80%, analysts expect Ecobank to remain a top pick for investors looking for exposure to the African frontier market. The bank’s capital adequacy ratio remains robust at 16.8%, well above regulatory requirements, providing a solid cushion for further expansion in 2026.
