The Cameroonian national, who holds the title of Fellow Chartered Certified Accountant (FCCA), will play a key role in the group’s strategic and operational management in the region.

Pan-African banking group Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) has appointed seasoned executive Emmanuel Wakili to a strategic leadership role. Wakili, currently the Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for Ecobank Cameroon and the Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa (CESA) regions, has been named Regional Head of Operations for the CESA region.

He will retain his duties as Regional CFO for the same zone, according to a statement from the Lomé, Togo-headquartered bank.

In his expanded role, Wakili will support the regional management team in executing the Ecobank Group's strategy across the 18 markets that make up the CESA region.

“He will provide strategic and operational leadership aimed at optimizing capital allocation and governance, promoting operational efficiency and cost management, strengthening risk and compliance frameworks, and driving innovation, digital transformation, and client experience improvement,” the bank stated.

By promoting Wakili, Ecobank aims to solidify its position in Africa and spur growth in new markets. His dual expertise in finance and operations positions him as a key figure to drive the group’s efficiency and innovation strategy.

A Track Record of Exceptional Results

The appointment recognizes a solid, 22-year banking career marked by commitment and performance. Within Ecobank, Wakili has held multiple senior roles, including Executive Director, Chief Operating Officer, and CFO at both country and regional levels. He also served as Group Company Secretary and Interim Chief of Staff to the Chairman of the Board, where he coordinated strategic priorities and enhanced governance.

His tenure as Regional CFO for CESA is particularly notable. Under his financial leadership, “the CESA region has achieved exceptional growth: pre-tax profit increased by over 500% between 2017 and 2025, Return on Equity (ROE) improved from 6% to 33%, while the cost-to-income ratio improved from 73% to 50%,” the bank reported.

Furthermore, as CFO for Ecobank Cameroon, he collaborated closely with the Managing Director to strengthen institutional performance, enabling the subsidiary to achieve an ROE greater than 33% and double its pre-tax profit in seven years.

Wakili began his career at Union Bank of Cameroon and NFC Bank, holding roles as CFO, Company Secretary, and Internal Auditor. A graduate of Anglia Ruskin University in the United Kingdom, he is recognized for his expertise in finance, governance, management control, bank restructuring, and performance management. His strategic acumen and leadership earned him two ACCA Awards in 2024: the "Overall Africa CFO Award" and the "Sustainable Finance Leadership Award," recognizing his commitment to responsible finance.

Sandrine Gaingne