Zenith Bank, a leading financial powerhouse in Africa, has revealed plans to commence operations in Ivory Coast as part of its strategic push across the continent.
The bank made this known during a two-day outreach event which was held in Abidjan, the capital of Ivory Coast, on Monday, May 12 and Tuesday, May 13 at the Seen Hotel Abidjan.
During the event which, Zenith Bank offered a wide range of essential financial services, including free Bank Verification Number (BVN) registration, National Identification Number (NIN) enrollment (subject to fees), new account openings, and access to mortgage products at preferential rates.
This initiative is seen as a stepping stone toward the bank establishing full operations in Côte d’Ivoire.
By providing access to crucial identity and banking services, Zenith Bank aims to deepen financial inclusion and better connect with the Nigerian diaspora in Francophone West Africa.
The move follows Zenith Bank’s strong financial results.
The bank recorded ₦837.64 billion in interest income in the first quarter of 2025 which is a 71.46% jump from the same period last year and a post-tax profit of ₦311.83 billion, which is about 20.7% year-on-year.
Total assets rose to ₦32.42 trillion, while customer deposits hit ₦22.68 trillion, marking a 35.14% annual increase.
Zenith Bank also made history in the year 2024 by becoming the first Nigerian bank to surpass ₦1 trillion in profit after tax, reaching ₦1.03 trillion, a 52.64% rise from the previous year.
The bank also grew its African presence by opening seven new branches in Ghana, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia, while continuing to operate in the United Kingdom (UK).
The Abidjan initiative underscores Zenith Bank’s commitment to a pan-African strategy centered on innovation, inclusion, and regional economic integration.
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