Ex Citigroup MD lands new position at Ecobank

Zainab Iwayemi

Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) has appointed Akin Dada, a former Citigroup managing director as its group executive, corporate & investment banking following the retirement of Amin Manekia in 2020.

Akin who joined Ecobank in 2017 as the Executive Director for corporate bank in Nigeria, went on to lead as the group head, corporate banking for the Ecobank Group and finally landing his new position as the group executive.

Speaking on his appointment, Ade Ayeyemi, Ecobank Group CEO said the vast experience which the new group executive had garnered over time, and  earned him the new position will be the driving force to tapping into the huge opportunity especially in the AFCFTA.

“Akin’s valuable and varied experience over many years in corporate banking as well as his broader knowledge of banking, credit and risk management position him appropriately to lead our corporate and investment bank. There are huge opportunities for the Ecobank Group with the implementation of the AfCFTA, which heralds burgeoning demand for trade finance, advisory services and cross-border payments,” He said

In addition to having a degree in Political Science from the University of Ibadan, Akin has an MBA from the University of Warwick, UK. He also possesses over 30 years of banking experience in the area of client coverage, strategic transaction initiation and advisory dialogues across various client segments, including public sector, telecoms, FMCG as well as oil and gas.

Having worked with Citigroup for 26 years in corporate & investment banking as senior transactor, senior relationship banker, business development manager, and eventually as the managing director, Citigroup Cameroon, Akin joined Ecobank where he handled a wide array of transactions in loan syndications, project finance, corporate finance and advisory. Akin also worked briefly with Access Bank Nigeria Plc as group head, oil & gas.