Dutch Firm to Acquire 14.1% Stake in Ecobank

• Dutch Firm to Acquire 14.1% Stake in Ecobank

Arise B.V, a Dutch investment firm, is in the process of acquiring 14.1 percent stake own by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and its Asset Management Company (AMC) in Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI).

Arise B.V is one of the leading equity investors in financial institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa with a combined asset value of over $700 million.

ETI, the parent company of the Ecobank Group, notified the Nigerian Stock Exchange of the development and stated that the selling parties have supported its growth across Africa.

“Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, (ETI), the Lomé-based parent company of the Ecobank Group, announces a material information relating to its ownership structure.

“The International Finance Corporation (IFC, a member of the World Bank Group), and investment funds managed by the IFC Asset Management Company (AMC a wholly-owned subsidiary of IFC) have entered into a Share Purchase Agreement with a leading Dutch investment firm Arise B. V for the sale of their circa 14.1 percent stake in ETI.

“Completion of the transaction is expected in the coming months, subject to due diligence, internal and regulatory approvals.”

“IFC and ETI have worked together since 1993 to broaden access to finance, enhance trade liquidity, and strengthen Ecobank.

“Since 2009, IFC and the funds managed by the IFC Asset Management Company, through their investments, have been supporting Ecobank’s growth strategy across Africa in building a preeminent banking franchise,” the statement said.

Ecobank raised another $50 million in bonds earlier this month to take its total Eurobonds due in April 2024 to $500 million at 9.5 percent.