Ecobank is expanding its China platform through a new Beijing office and an agreement with the Cross-Border Interbank Payment System, aiming to facilitate trade and investment and give businesses easier access to opportunities across 34 African markets.
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This article was produced with the support of Ecobank
Ecobank Group is strengthening its presence in China as it seeks to facilitate trade and investment between the world’s second-largest economy and Africa. The pan-African banking group has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Cross-Border Interbank Payment System (CIPS) to strengthen renminbi (RMB) transactions between the two regions, while inaugurating new office premises in Beijing.
The agreement is intended to simplify settlement, reduce complexity for businesses and improve access to financial channels supporting China-Africa trade. The signing took place on 10 October in the presence of Togo’s Minister of Finance and Budget, on the sidelines of the official visit to China by Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, President of the Council of the Republic of Togo.
Ecobank’s expanded Beijing presence marks the next stage in a relationship that began in 2012 with the opening of its Beijing Advisory Office. The new premises will provide Chinese companies, financial institutions and investors with a dedicated point of access to the Group’s banking network across 34 African markets.
China remains Africa’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching approximately $348bn in 2025. As commercial links expand across manufacturing, infrastructure, technology and energy, efficient banking arrangements are becoming increasingly important to businesses operating across the two regions.
Jeremy Awori, chief executive officer of Ecobank Group, said the growth of China-Africa trade required financial infrastructure capable of keeping pace with deeper commercial relationships and rising investment flows.
“Our partnership with CIPS strengthens the connectivity between China’s RMB payment ecosystem and Ecobank’s extensive African network,” he said. “It enhances our ability to support importers, exporters and businesses seeking to operate across Africa and China more efficiently and with greater confidence.”
A bridge between markets
For Chinese companies expanding across Africa, operating in multiple countries can mean navigating different currencies, regulatory environments and commercial relationships. Ecobank aims to ease this process through a single banking relationship supported by local expertise and regional capabilities.
The Group offers trade finance, payments, cash management and working capital services, with dedicated Chinese Desks across West, Central and East Africa connecting clients with teams on the ground. Its Beijing office will serve as a focal point for engagement with Chinese corporates, financial institutions, investors and commercial partners.
The opportunity is growing as China extends zero-tariff treatment to all 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations, creating further openings for African exporters. Realising that potential will depend not only on market access but also on businesses’ ability to secure finance, manage cross-border transactions and navigate different operating environments.
Expanding strategic partnerships
The CIPS agreement forms part of a broader network of relationships through which Ecobank is seeking to support trade and investment between China and Africa.
In December 2025, the Group signed a memorandum of understanding with Bank of China (Mauritius), building on a relationship first established with Bank of China in 2010. The agreement sought to deepen cooperation in trade finance, cross-border settlement and other financial services. Ecobank also works with cross-border payment providers including XTransfer, YeePay and WorldFirst.
The China-Africa corridor is a strategic growth opportunity under Ecobank’s Growth, Transformation and Returns strategy. By combining its presence in Beijing with partnerships across the financial sector and banking operations in 34 African markets, the Group aims to help Chinese businesses access opportunities across the continent while supporting African companies seeking to trade and grow with China.
As commercial ties deepen, the effectiveness of these connections will be an important factor in translating rising trade volumes into broader opportunities for businesses on both sides.