By Alhaji Haruna Sani
On Friday, July 5th, Ecobank Sierra Leone Limited, a prominent financial institution in the country, hosted a business cocktail for its esteemed clients at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Aberdeen, Freetown.
The event brought together account holders from various business units, including local and international clients.
Sebastian Ashong-Katai, Managing Director of Ecobank SL Limited, highlighted the bank’s growth and achievements over its 18 years of existence in Sierra Leone. He noted the expansion of the branch network, the introduction of new products and services, and the acquisition of a subsidiary, Ecobank Microfinance Services. He praised the resilience of Ecobank staff since 2006, acknowledging the numerous milestones they have achieved.
Ashong-Katai emphasized the importance of the gathering in expressing appreciation and honoring their esteemed customers. He stated, “We aim to create a platform to strengthen the relationships we have with our clients, facilitating meaningful exchanges in a conducive environment.” The event included development sector clients, corporate entities, and individual clients who have been part of Ecobank’s journey.
He assured attendees of Ecobank’s continued investment in technology and human resources, aimed at deploying various solutions, including asset financing and public services expansion.
Ashong-Katai highlighted Ecobank’s collaboration with the Electricity Distribution and tax authorities, which has led to more efficient operations within the bank’s ecosystem. He also mentioned the rollout of USSD banking services, allowing those at the bottom of the economic pyramid to participate in financial services.
Sally Khatumal Esq, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Ecobank Sierra Leone, echoed Ashong-Katai’s sentiments, stressing the vital role of customers in the bank’s success. She noted that Ecobank, a leading Pan-African bank, operates in 33 African countries and is a market leader in many of them, serving as a preferred partner for governments and global development finance institutions.
Khatumal highlighted Ecobank’s organizational culture, ethics, and six core values, with customer centricity being paramount. She emphasized the bank’s commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences through digital services, ranking among the top three banks in digital solutions within the banking and finance sector.
She also urged women customers to explore the ELEVATES program, designed for women and women-led businesses, to leverage opportunities for business growth. She emphasized that Ecobank is dedicated to ensuring customers have a memorable experience consistently, not just occasionally.
Khatumal concluded by introducing the board members, all of whom have impressive credentials and years of outstanding service. She expressed gratitude to all partners and customers for their loyalty and trust, marking the event as a renewed commitment to an advanced partnership between Ecobank and its clients.
