• Ecobank CI H1 net profit up 13.8% to $51.5M, driven by lower risk cost & strong deposit growth.
• Net banking income rose 6.9%; return on equity at 31.4%, highest in Ivorian market.
• Loans fell 8.8% to FCFA 924B, reflecting cautious strategy amid economic uncertainties.

Ecobank Côte d'Ivoire, the Ivorian subsidiary of the pan-African Ecobank group, announced a net profit of CFA28.9 billion ($51.5 million) for the first half of 2025, marking a 13.8% year-on-year increase. Pre-tax profit also rose by 10.9% to CFA33.9 billion. This performance was primarily driven by a significant reduction in the cost of risk and robust deposit collection, which surged by 18.8% to CFA1,525 billion.

Net banking income expanded by 6.9% to CFA62.8 billion, largely attributed to a 13.7% increase in interest margin, bolstered by a substantial portion of non-remunerated deposits.

The cost of risk saw a sharp decline of 70.9% to CFA700 million, reflecting the bank's more selective lending policies and enhanced portfolio monitoring. Return on equity reached 31.4%, positioning Ecobank CI among the top performers in the Ivorian banking sector.

Despite these strong profitability metrics, the bank experienced a notable contraction in outstanding loans, which fell by 8.8% to CFA924 billion. The loans-to-deposits ratio consequently dropped to 63% from 82% a year prior, indicating a cautious strategy that prioritizes secure investments, which increased by 27% to CFA739 billion.

Ecobank attributes this strategic shift to a refocusing in response to prevailing economic and political uncertainties, particularly with the upcoming presidential elections in October 2025.

The bank maintains a robust solvency ratio of 19.3%, significantly above regulatory requirements. While this prudent approach ensures a strong financial position, it may temper the bank's capacity to finance future growth in the short term.

This article was initially published in French by Fiacre E. Kakpo

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum