L-R: Wale Edun, Aliko Dangote; Adaora Umeoji; Bertrand Dumont, and Jim Ovia.
Zenith Bank Plc has opened Zenith Bank, Paris, a Third-Country Branch (TCB) of Zenith Bank (UK) Limited, a subsidiary of Zenith Bank Plc.
In her welcome address, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive of Zenith Bank, Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji, said that Zenith Bank, Paris is positioned to facilitate business and trade flows between the African region and France, which is a major business partner to several African countries.
She said that the branch will provide a wide range of services currently being offered by the UK home-office including corporate banking, trade finance and treasury services to individuals and corporate clients in France and the wider European market.
“The branch will also leverage the bank’s strong global network and expertise to provide tailored solutions to its clients,”she said.
She emphasized that Zenith Bank’s expansion into France is a very strategic move as Nigeria accounts for 20 percent of France’s trade with Sub-saharan Africa according to the Franco-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI)
Adaora Umeoji thanked the Founder & Chairman, Dr Jim ovia, for his inspiration and vision to have set up an award-winning and record-breaking brand.
She also highlighted the rationale for the bank’s strategic move to Paris. “The opening of this Paris branch is part of the broad strategy of the Bank to extend its footprints across the major global financial centres and our efforts at following our customers’ businesses. Paris branch opening underpins the need to serve our customers and bolster trade and finance relationship between our customers in France and other countries.
She emphasized that Zenith Bank’s expansion into France is a very strategic move as Nigeria accounts for 20 percent of France’s trade with Sub-saharan Africa according to the Franco-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI)
“Having successfully dominated large parts of Anglophone Africa, we will leverage Zenith Bank Paris operations to lead the Francophone market starting from Ivory Coast and Cameroun where we will be establishing subsidiaries very soon,” she added.
Industrialtimesngr.com learned that the Zenith Bank Paris Branch was officially commissioned during the week at 21 Rue de la Paix, Paris, France, by Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun.
The other dignitaries at the event include Governor, Kwara State & Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Governor, Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-olu; Governor of Ogun State, Adedapo Abiodun., Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah; Chairman, BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu; Honourable Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite; Chief Executive Officer/Executive Secretary, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Aisha Rimi and Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) Nonye Ayeni, who joined Zenith Bank Executives to declared the branch opened for business.
Comments :
Wale Edun:
“I feel that one of the dividends of building trust for Nigerian institutions around the world is this event today, the opening of Zenith Bank in Paris. The presence of Zenith here can only but help to engender trust of the French business community. They can learn about the opportunities in Africa, and of course, the entry into Nigeria can be facilitated. We are happy and we are glad that we are all here to participate in this historic occasion.”
President/CEO , Dangote Industries Group, Aliko Dangote :
“I really want to congratulate Zenith Bank for having achieved this feat – a branch here in Paris.I can guarantee you, without the likes of Zenith Bank and other Nigerian banks, we as a group, wouldn’t have been where we are today because there is no country that can grow without a very strong banking sector.”
The Director-General of the Treasury, France, Bertrand Dumont :
“This is a crucial asset when it comes to doing business between our two countries, or when it comes to doing business between our two continents. So, I would like to wish you the best in this endeavor, in this creation, and I hope that in the coming months or the coming year, you will invite me again for the integration of larger buildings as a sign of the success that you would have encountered.”
The Chairman, France-Nigeria Business Council (FNBC), Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede:
“ Fifteen years ago, Dr. Jim Ovia, then as the CEO of Zenith Bank welcomed me as CEO Access Bank into the UK to join him and other banks that had blazed the trail in opening banking businesses in the UK. 15 years later, to the glory of God, your young brother in banking welcomes you to Paris with pride on the significance of this occasion. Such intentional leadership, such partnership and collaboration speaks to the nature of endeavor that we at the France-Nigeria Business Council are trying to drive. So, on behalf of the French people, I simply say to Zenith – Bonne Arrivee!” ▪︎