Ecobank CEO Jeremy Awori is calling for a transformed Africa that takes responsibility for its own development.
"Tonight, we celebrate a remarkable milestone: Ecobank's fortieth anniversary. As I stand here, I feel the weight of history and the responsibility to honour a legacy built on unity where others saw division, and on opportunity where others saw only limitations. None of this would have been possible without our founding members who, four decades ago, dared to turn an ambitious dream into reality. Togo, with its unwavering support, gave that dream a home.
"I also extend my gratitude to my predecessors for laying the foundations upon which we continue to build. Over the past two years, as part of our growth, transformation and performance strategy, we have reshaped Ecobank. We have achieved record revenues, advanced our technology and artificial intelligence initiatives, improved the customer experience and deepened our social impact.
"But our transformation goes beyond performance figures. It reflects a renewed state of mind and a stronger sense of mission. It signals our commitment to reinvent what Ecobank can be for Africa. And it is here that I must speak from the heart about the future of our continent.
"Africa must unite. Forty years ago, our founders understood this. They recognised that our strength lies not in isolation but in integration. Today, as the African Continental Free Trade Area gathers momentum, we must turn the discourse of unity into concrete action.
"Our continent already has everything it needs to solve its own challenges. We possess abundant natural resources, essential minerals, fertile land, clean energy and a rising generation of talented young Africans. The time has come to free us from dependence on external aid and capital. It is time to take control of our destiny.
"Our highest priority is to create opportunities for our young people. Without employment, economic growth or meaningful prospects, we risk losing an entire generation. We must shape a future that genuinely works for our children, and this requires us to move beyond words and into action.
"Ecobank must continue to evolve so that it can help lead this positive future. We need to embrace change, harness technology and provide new solutions for our customers and for the communities we serve. We are more than a bank. We connect lives, ambitions and markets across thirty-eight countries.
"To our customers, your ambitions guide our strategy, and we are grateful for the trust you place in us. To our partners, thank you for walking this journey with us. And to every Ecobank employee, you carry the torch lit by our founders. Your courage, passion and determination make our ambitions possible.
"Forty years ago, Ecobank existed only as a bold vision. Today it stands as a continental force addressing Africa's real challenges. Tomorrow we will continue to build the Africa our founders imagined: united, self-sufficient and unstoppable.
"I see a continent transformed. I see an Africa that moves from importing food to producing enough to feed itself and the world. I see national capital financing pan-African ambitions. I see Ecobank's platform, people and mission accelerating the progress of an entire continent.
"This is not a dream. It is our task. It is our moment. It is Africa's time."