Facilitating international investments, trade, and access to capital markets, while financing structural projects, are some of the actions undertaken by Standard Chartered over its 25 years of presence in Côte d'Ivoire. Since establishing its footprint in the country in 2001, the British bank has pursued a consistent mission and intends to continue serving as a bridge between the Ivorian economy and international markets for the years to come.
Over the years, the institution has mobilized several hundred million euros to support projects in sectors essential to the Ivorian economy. In 2021, Standard Chartered structured a financing package of 159 million euros (101 billion FCFA) for the renovation of maternity wards in 62 hospitals across 24 regions and the district of Abidjan.
The following year, it participated in the mobilization of 104 million euros (66 billion FCFA) for the rehabilitation of 93 kilometers of the coastal road between Dabou and Grand-Lahou, a route that notably facilitates trade with the port of San Pedro. This momentum continued with larger-scale operations.
In 2024, the bank arranged sustainable financing of 533 million euros (339 billion FCFA) aimed at supporting several of Côte d'Ivoire's priorities, particularly in education, health, renewable energy, wastewater management, and pollution control. In 2025, it also structured a sovereign loan of 433,3 million euros (275,9 billion FCFA) with financial terms linked to measurable targets in renewable energy, anti-deforestation, and reforestation.
See also- Banking: Standard Chartered considers selling three additional subsidiaries in Africa. More recently, in 2026, Standard Chartered participated in the financing of 423 billion FCFA (664 million euros) for the Songon power plant project, with a capacity of 372 MW.
The operation, led with twelve other institutions, aims to help strengthen the country's power generation capacity and support its energy needs linked to industrialization. For the bank, this type of project illustrates the function it intends to continue playing in the Ivorian market: that of an intermediary capable of connecting local financing needs with international capital and investors.
"Our role as a 'super-connector' bank is to link Côte d'Ivoire to the world while transforming these connections into capital, trade, and growth," explained Dalu Ajene, CEO Africa at Standard Chartered, during the meeting organized in Abidjan to mark the bank's 25 years of presence in the country. This ambition is based on a local presence that the group considers strategic.
Standard Chartered Côte d'Ivoire is indeed the group's only banking franchise in Francophone West Africa, within a network present in over 50 markets worldwide. From Abidjan, the bank supports Ivorian companies, financial institutions, and public stakeholders by providing them access to its international network, particularly in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
See also- Côte d'Ivoire: Standard Chartered launches "Supplier Finance" to fund the PME. "Côte d'Ivoire is much more than a national market.
It is a model regional hub," emphasized Dalu Ajene. According to him, the objective is now to make Abidjan a platform for financing, connectivity, and expertise for the sub-region, while strengthening the access of Ivorian companies to international markets.
This desire to connect the Ivorian economy to global markets is not limited to the financing of large-scale projects. Standard Chartered also claims several initiatives that have contributed to the evolution of banking services in the country.
In 2012, it introduced securities custodian services in Côte d'Ivoire and the UEMOA, allowing investors to have their financial securities held and managed, before making the Ivorian market the launch point for its first digital bank in Africa in 2018. After 25 years of activity, the bank aims to extend a model based on financing, international trade, innovation, and sustainable finance.
"We can promise Côte d'Ivoire that we will be here for 25 more years, and beyond," stated Dalu Ajene. An ambition that the CEO of Standard Chartered Côte d'Ivoire, Asuquo Nkposong, summarizes with one goal: transforming the 25 years of experience accumulated in the country into a new momentum of confidence, innovation, and impact.
Fanuelle YAO. Published on 13/10/26 16:30.
The Editorial Team