• Ecobank Côte d'Ivoire 2025 net profit rises 10.45% to 63.48bn CFA
• Board proposes higher dividend; payout totals 48.9bn CFA francs
• Shares surge 64% yearly; bank expands with gender bond initiative

Ecobank Côte d'Ivoire, the Ivorian unit of pan-African banking group Ecobank, reported a net profit of 63.48 billion CFA francs ($103 million) for the 2025 financial year, up 10.45% from a year earlier, according to a notice ahead of its annual general meeting published on April 9.

The board, chaired by Serge Thiémélé, will propose a gross dividend of 888 CFA francs per share. Net dividend is set at 781 CFA francs for individual shareholders and 799 CFA francs for corporate shareholders, compared with 708 CFA francs paid for 2024. Shareholders will meet on April 28 at the Radisson Blu hotel in Abidjan.

The total dividend payout amounts to 48.9 billion CFA francs, representing 77% of net profit. Payment is scheduled for May 22.

Earnings per share stood at 1,153 CFA francs, up steadily over five years. Net profit has nearly doubled since 2021, when the bank reported 34.3 billion CFA francs.

The stock, listed on the Regional Securities Exchange (BRVM), has gained nearly 64% over one year and 363% over five years. It is trading around 16,200 CFA francs after hitting a one-year high of 17,945 CFA francs, bringing its price-to-earnings ratio to 14x, the lowest level since 2021.

During the year, the bank issued its first Gender Bond in the WAEMU region to finance at least 3,000 women-led businesses, launched a dedicated agribusiness desk, and integrated the BCEAO’s PI-SPI payment platform.

Shareholders will also vote on appointing Oumar Sangaré, head of corporate and investment banking at the subsidiary, to the board, subject to regulatory approval.

Fiacre E. Kakpo