Sierra Leone, a country located on the West African coast, has been making significant strides in recent years towards economic development and stability. One of the critical drivers of this progress has been the role played by commercial banking institutions. The financial sector in Sierra Leone operates on a short-term basis on both its lending and investments. Commercial banks dominated the financial sector of Sierra Leone with total assets, being somewhere around 7000 billion.
Pioneer of the Sierra Leonean banking community:
In Sierra Leone’s economic landscape, certain enterprises are emerging as trailblazers, shaping the trajectory of the nation’s financial institutions. One of them is the Rokel Commercial Bank, which has made some significant contributions to the banking and financial sectors in Sierra Leone. They offer retail banking, e-banking, cash management and other financial services to create long-lasting and satisfying relationships with customers, employees, shareholders, and the communities in which the bank operates. They handle the majority of the Sierra Leone’s financial transactions, making it one of the top lenders in the country.
Rokel Commercial Bank’s successful banking journey can be attributed to Dr. Walton Ekundayo Gilpin, CEO of Rokel Commercial Bank. He is a financial specialist with over 30 years of financial expertise and experience in managing busy business houses and formulating policies. He has been felicitated with several national and international award, including the highest national awards in Sierra Leone, Commander of the Order of the Rokel. His expertise has been used for financial research analysis, training module creation, and technical guidance to national and international organizations. He joined Rokel Commercial Bank in July 2017, & since then he has completely transformed the banking landscape in the country with his expertise and great policy-making intellect. Over the course of three years, the profits of RCBank experienced a substantial surge, effectively transforming any potential losses into notable gains. In this regard, the RCBank was awarded several accolades due to his excellence. Recently International Business Magazine recognizing the achievements and outstanding contribution, felicitated the Rokel Commercial Bank as the Most Trusted Commercial Bank Sierra Leone 2023 and Dr. Walton Ekundayo Gilpin as the Commercial Banking CEO of the Year Sierra Leone 2023.
To Summarize:
While commercial banking plays a crucial role in Sierra Leone’s economic development, challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, regulatory constraints, and cyber-security threats must be addressed. Emphasis on the development of the banking sector, coupled with proper regulation, can contribute significantly to the overall economic development. Furthermore, banks need to continue fostering financial literacy and education to ensure that individuals and businesses make informed financial decisions. Country’s major lenders Rokel commercial bank is also putting their best foot forward to support the financial sector of the country.
Blog by Madhulika Pandey
Also Read:
Dubai Chambers-CITI MoU boosts cooperation, commercial competitiveness
