Ecobank Group shows its commitment to better health

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Leading Pan-African banking group, Ecobank Group (Ecobank.com), is celebrating its eighth annual Ecobank Day today, which is the Group’s flagship annual event, showing commitment and giving back to its local communities in 33 African countries. This year’s theme is’Take action against diabetes‘and marks the second phase of a three-year campaign to raise awareness and help prevent noncommunicable diseases (NCD). Therefore, Ecobank partnered with NCD Alliance (NCDAlliance.org), a Geneva-based global civilian network dedicated to the prevention of noncommunicable diseases around the world.

Ade Ayeyemi, CEO of Ecobank Group, said: “Diabetes and other noncommunicable diseases are on the rise across Africa. Diabetes causes severe damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves and, if not dealt with quickly, premature death. About 60% of Africans with diabetes are unaware that they have diabetes and at Ecobank we are determined to raise awareness of the disease and other non-communicable diseases, as well as the importance of healthy lifestyles in preventing these diseases. We are working closely with the NCD Alliance to ensure that our three-year campaign has maximum impact in helping save African lives. “

For her part, Ms. Katie Dain, CEO of the NCD Alliance, said: ‘It’s great to see such leadership from a bank in raising awareness of diabetes and other NCDs among its employees and communities. Tackling NCDs effectively will require collaboration across all sectors, which is why we are very happy with our partnership with Ecobank. We look forward to drawing on their experience in financial management to train noncommunicable disease civil society advocates across the African continent. “

The planned activities aimed at raising awareness on Diabetes include informative webinars and controlled screening in strict adherence to the measures outlined by various governments to combat the spread of Covid-19.

Ecobank Day 2020 events take place virtually, to ensure safety from Covid-19, and include:

1. Today’s Pan-African webinar in partnership with the NCD Alliance to raise awareness of diabetes and other noncommunicable diseases and how to address the extra challenges and stress people with diabetes may face during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2. A “Take Action Against Diabetes” campaign on social media to assist and encourage healthy behaviors.

The Ecobank Group has announced a total contribution of approximately USD 100,000 from its affiliates across the continent. Proceeds will go to the NCDA Solidarity Fund (https://bit.ly/36ou54t), which supports national and regional NCD alliances in addressing the critical needs of people living with noncommunicable diseases during COVID-19

Ecobank Day is an annual event that started in 2013 and some of the past initiatives have focused on supporting orphanages, drinking water management, maternal health and malaria prevention.

For more information, visit Ecobank.com/Ecobank-day

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ecobank.

Media contacts:

Group Communications Christiane Bossom Group Communications Manager E-mail: [email protected] Tel: +228 22 21 03 03

NCD Alliance Jimena Marques Donaher Director of Communications, NCD Alliance Email: [email protected]

Information about Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (“ETI” or “The Group”):

Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (“ETI”) (Ecobank.com) is the parent company of Ecobank Group, the leading independent Pan-African banking group. The Ecobank group employs over 14,000 people and serves approximately 24 million customers in the consumer, commercial and corporate banking sectors in 33 African countries. The Group has a banking license in France and representative offices in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Johannesburg, South Africa; Beijing, China; London, United Kingdom and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The Group offers a full suite of banking products, services and solutions, including bank and deposit accounts, loans, cash management, consulting, trading, securities, wealth and wealth management. ETI is listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in Lagos, the Ghana Stock Exchange in Accra and the Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières in Abidjan. For more information, visit Ecobank.com

About NCD Alliance:

The NCD Alliance (NCDA) (NCDAlliance.org) is a unique civil society network of 2,000 organizations in 170 countries dedicated to improving the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases around the world. Our network includes NCDA members, national and regional NCD alliances, scientific and professional associations, and academic and research institutions. Together with strategic partners, including WHO, the UN and governments, NCDA is transforming the global fight against noncommunicable diseases.