The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has appointed Claude Owona Ekoto as Regional Industry Manager for its Financial Institutions Group (FIG), overseeing Central Africa and Anglophone West Africa.
Based in Lagos, Nigeria, Owona Ekoto will lead IFC’s engagement with financial institutions across the region, supporting initiatives aimed at expanding access to finance for businesses, farmers, and entrepreneurs while strengthening inclusive private sector growth.
“In her new role, Claude will work alongside financial institutions and partners across the region to expand access to finance for the businesses, farmers, and entrepreneurs driving growth and creating jobs,” IFC said.
Nearly Two Decades of Banking and Development Finance Experience
Owona Ekoto brings almost 20 years of experience spanning international banking and development finance.
Since joining IFC in 2020 as a Senior Investment Officer in the Financial Institutions Group for West and Central Africa, she has led the origination, structuring, and management of investments across the region.
She also served as FIG Champion for Burkina Faso, Cameroon, and Côte d’Ivoire, helping shape country strategies while managing relationships with key financial institutions.
She has held the position of Regional Industry Manager for West Africa since September 2023, a role that has seen her oversee investments designed to strengthen financial systems and broaden access to credit.
Before joining IFC, Owona Ekoto served as Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Société Générale Burkina Faso between February 2019 and February 2020. Earlier, she was Head of Corporate and Commercial Banking at Société Générale Cameroon from 2014 to 2019, where she managed a substantial share of the bank’s revenue and oversaw a large corporate banking portfolio.
International Banking Background
Earlier in her career, Owona Ekoto participated in HSBC’s International Manager Programme between 2004 and 2012, joining a select group of executives responsible for implementing the bank’s global strategy through international assignments.
Her professional experience spans corporate banking, investment origination, global payments, cash management, and relationship management across multiple African markets and international financial institutions.
Driving Financial Inclusion
Throughout her career, Owona Ekoto has focused on expanding financial inclusion by supporting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), agricultural finance, gender-focused lending, and the development of local capital markets.
Her appointment comes as IFC continues to deepen partnerships with financial institutions across Central Africa and Anglophone West Africa, where improving access to finance remains central to private sector development, economic diversification, and job creation.
