QNB acquires a 12.5% stake in Ecobank Transnational Incorporated

DOHA- QNB has today(September 4th) announced the acquisition of a 12.5% stake (both ordinary and convertible preference shares) in Ecobank Transnational Incorporated. This strategic partnership with a leading pan-African bank is a fundamental step towards QNB’s strategy of being a MEA Icon by 2017.

Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (Ecobank) was set up in 1985 in Lomé, Togo, where it is headquartered. Ecobank is the leading pan-African bank with a presence in 36 countries across the African continent and in 4 other countries across the globe. Ecobank is one of the top three banks (by assets) in 14 of the countries in which Ecobank is present. As at June 2014, Ecobank had USD23.4b of assets and had generated USD255m of profit before tax (for the 6 months to 30 June 2014) and operates across its unique network of 1,241 branches, 2,500 ATMs and 16,245 POS terminals servicing over 10.8 million customers. With 20,114 employees, Ecobank is the largest employer in the financial sector industry in Middle Africa.

The QNB Group stated ambition of being a MEA Icon by 2017 is brought closer to realisation through the potential opportunities and commercial benefits resulting from this partnership. This move further consolidates the growth strategy pursued by The QNB Group over recent years.

QNB operates in 26 countries and 3 Continents around the world. QNB Group already has a significant trading presence in Africa with branches, subsidiaries and associates operating in the following countries: Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, South Sudan, Sudan and Tunisia.

QNB was recently recognized as “The Best Bank in The Middle East” by Euromoney Magazine and was voted “One of the Top 50 Safest Banks in the World” by Global Finance Magazine in 2013.