Ecobank Appoints Alain Nkontchou, Co-founder Enko Capital Management As New Chairman

Alain Nkontchou, the co-founder of asset management company, Enko Capital Management LLP, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the board of directors of the Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), the parent company of Nigerian lender, Ecobank.

According to a statement obtained by AllNews, it was learnt that Nkontchou's appointment had been effective since June 30, 2020. Nkontchou, who is a Cameroonian, took over from Nigeria’s Emmanuel Ikazoboh, who occupied the position for six-year. He had been an Independent Non-Executive Director of the pan-African bank since 2015 before his new appointment as Chairman.

While addressing his new portfolio, Nkontchou said Ecobank is well positioned to navigate the current business environment in Africa, "I look forward to working with the Board and Executive team as we continue our journey ahead and I know that we are well-placed to navigate through the current environment and set the standards in financial services for our customers across Africa."

He also said he was "honoured to be appointed as Chairman of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated. Having served on its Board since 2015, I have seen Ecobank’s resilience and its proud history, built on strong foundation to secure the Bank’s future success." Nkontchou said.

Nkontchou's Career Path Before Joining Ecobank

Aside from the experience gathered from his personal enterprise, Enko Capital Management LLP, Nkontchou had been the Non-Executive Director at Laurent Perrier champagne between 1999 and 2009. Before joining Ecobank, he was also Credit Suisse’s Managing Director for Global Macro Trading from 1995 to 2008 - similar position was held by Nkontchou at JP Morgan Chase & Co.

His career path also took him to Chemical Bank first in Paris and then New York from 1989 to 1994 - Nkontchou later became the Vice- President, Head of Trading, and Sales. Meanwhile, he obtained an MSc in Electrical Engineering from Supélec and P.M. Curie University, Paris, and another MSc in Finance and Accounting from ESCP (Ecole Supérieure de Commerce de Paris).