…For Economic Performance
The Group Deputy Managing Director of FirstBank PLC, IniEbong has paid a strategic visit to Sierra Leone.
In his short time working visit to the FirstBank Sierra Leone subsidiary, the Deputy Managing Director of FirstbankPlc, Mr. IniEbong with a delegation from International Banking Group (ITBG) and the Managing Director of FirstBank Sierra Leone subsidiary, Mr. Udeme O. Udoh paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Finance, Mr. Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura at his George Street office in Freetown. The delegation includes Mrs. BoblindaBami-Caulker the Executive Director of FirstBank Sierra Leone, and Mrs. Anita Jah Business Manager, Corporate Banking.
During the visits, he lauded the Sierra Leone Economic Management Team for their resilience and the sterling performance in recording (a projected) economic growth of 5.2% from 4.4% and a decline in inflation from 54% (peak in 2023) to about 8% in 2025. This he said is highly commendable at a time when the global economic indices are registering elastic constraints resulting in slow and stagnant growths across countries.
“The Sierra Leone economy has shown a robust resilience and tenacity in growth from GDP of 4.4% to 5.2%. This not only greatly demonstrates that, the Sierra Leone economic team has a steady and know-how to handle the economic management, but it also shows optimum dedication and patriotism on the part of the economic team in the management of the economic affairs of the country. I applaud you for your unparalleled performance without any reservations,” he said.
In another comment, IniEbong said that, FirstBank is a people-centred, people-oriented bank with the philosophy of always putting the customer first. This, he said, is borne out of the belief that, the wellbeing and success of the customer is the success of the bank. He further said that, “FirstBank in Sierra Leone has come to stay. As Sierra Leone is a responsible corporate citizen, the vision of FirstBank is to put the country first, work with the people, the corporate community and the government in achieving a great and golden Sierra Leone economic dream that would deliver and benefit all, he added.”
The deputy Managing Director, Mr. IniEbong, also made a major visit to FirstBank’s subsidiary in Sierra Leone, where he addressed staff members and reiterated the bank’s commitment to regional growth. Since June 2024, Mr. Ebong has served as DMD, bringing a wealth of experience from his previous roles as Executive Director of Treasury and International Banking and Group Executive in the same industry.
Mr. Ebong said he was impressed by FirstBank Sierra Leone’s young and vibrant staff during his visit. He emphasised the vital role that employees play within the larger FirstBank Group and urged them to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and ethics. “We see great potential in this market, and we are ready for expansion,” he said, emphasizing the bank’s goal to actively seek growth opportunities in the Sierra Leonean market rather than staying small.
His visit’s primary objective was to establish relationships with the staff members who will lead the bank’s expansion initiatives. Additionally, Mr. Ebong valued the productive conversations he had with local stakeholders, all of whom had a similar vision for advancement. He assured the Sierra Leone subsidiary that the group office would continue to support them in achieving more significant strategic objectives as he wrapped up his visit.
FirstBank Sierra Leone Limited is a subsidiary of FirstBank Nigeria Plc, a leading financial services institution by total assets and gross earnings and one of the largest corporate and retail banking financial institutions in sub-Saharan Africa (excluding South Africa). Since its establishment in 1894, the Bank has consistently built relationships with customers focusing on fundamentals of good corporate governance, strong liquidity, risk management and strong capitalization. Now 131 years old and counting, FirstBank remains the oldest banking and financial services institution in sub-Saharan Africa, providing a comprehensive range of financial services across the globe through its subsidiaries, in London, Paris, Congo DRC, Ghana, The Gambia, Guinea, Sierra-Leone and Senegal as well as its Representative Offices in Johannesburg, Beijing and Abu Dhabi.
