Ecobank Welcomes New Major Shareholder with $100 Million Investment
Monday, 18 August 2025 13:27 
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Alain Nkontchou's Bosquet Investments acquired 21.22% of Ecobank for $100 million from Nedbank.
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Ecobank raised $250 million in July via Tier 1 convertible bonds to boost its capital and support African expansion.
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Nedbank sells Ecobank shares to refocus on Southern and East Africa, while Ecobank sells its Mozambican subsidiary to FDH Bank.
Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), the pan-African bank headquartered in Lomé, welcomed a new major shareholder. Bosquet Investments Ltd., owned by Alain Nkontchou, bought 21.22% of Ecobank’s capital for $100 million from Nedbank, Ecobank’s main shareholder for 17 years. The deal, announced through an agreement, should close by the end of 2025 after regulatory clearance.
This purchase marks a comeback for Nkontchou, who served on Ecobank’s Board for about a decade before stepping down last year. The former chairman now plans to back the bank’s "Growth, Transformation and Returns" strategy aimed at sustainable growth.
The timing of the investment aligns with a busy period for Ecobank. In July, the bank completed a $250 million private offering of Tier 1 convertible bonds (AT1). The bonds sold quickly and will strengthen Ecobank’s capital base and support its expansion across Africa.
For Nedbank, the sale fits its strategic shift to contain risks in Central and West Africa. The South African group now focuses on its stronger markets in Southern and East Africa.
Meanwhile, Ecobank continues streamlining its regional operations. On August 6, the group confirmed the sale of its Mozambican unit, Ecobank Mozambique, to Malawi’s FDH Bank.
Ecobank operates from Lomé across 35 African countries. The group serves over 32 million customers and manages assets worth several billion dollars.
This article was initially published in French by Ayi Renaud Dossavi
Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum
