Zenith Bank Opens A New Branch In Paris 

Zenith Bank Plc has officially opened a new branch in Paris, France, marking a major milestone in its global expansion strategy.

The branch, located at 21 Rue de la Paix, was inaugurated on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, in a ceremony led by Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun.

The Paris branch operates as a third-country branch (TCB) of Zenith Bank United Kingdom (UK) Limited, a subsidiary of Zenith Bank Plc, and serves as a vital step in connecting Europe and Africa through financial services.

Highlighting the strategic importance of this expansion, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Zenith Bank, Dr. Adaora Umeoji, stated: “This Paris branch underpins the need to serve our customers and bolster trade and financial relationships between our customers in France and other countries. 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.”

Dr. Umeoji also shared plans to use the Paris branch as a springboard for entering Francophone markets, starting with Ivory Coast and Cameroon, to facilitate trade between Africa and France.

The event drew dignitaries, including Governors from Kwara, Lagos, Ogun, and Enugu states, business moguls such as Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Abdul Samad Rabiu, and representatives from the French and Nigerian business communities.

French Director-General of the Treasury, Bertrand Dumont, emphasised the branch’s significance in fostering business between Africa and Europe.

The Paris branch opening follows the September 2024 approval by France’s banking regulator, the Autorité de Contrôle Prudentiel et de Résolution (ACPR). This builds on Zenith Bank’s earlier Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the French government in November 2023, which paved the way for establishing operations in France.

Chairman of Zenith Bank, Mr. Jim Ovia, highlighted the bank’s global vision, reinforcing Zenith Bank’s status as a leader in financial innovation. With a focus on corporate banking, trade finance, and treasury services, the Paris branch is set to enhance connectivity, support businesses, and accelerate trade flows between Africa and Europe.

Zenith Bank Paris is positioned as a global financial hub, complementing the bank’s presence in major markets like the UK. With this expansion, Zenith Bank is poised to strengthen Nigeria’s financial reputation internationally, offering tailored solutions to clients and advancing its mission to facilitate economic growth across continents.