News - iib MENASA

As part of our Sustainability Program, we organized a school supplies distribution initiative on September 13, 2026, in Balbala, in collaboration with the Jeune Midnimo Biyokeid Association.

This initiative aimed to support children and their families during the back-to-school period, a time when household expenses can significantly increase. A total of 150 children, accompanied by their parents, benefited from the distribution of essential school supplies, helping to ease the financial burden on families and ensuring that children could start the new school year with the necessary materials.

The school supplies distributed included backpacks, pencil cases, pens, and notebooks. Each complete set of supplies was carefully arranged and placed inside the backpacks before being distributed to the beneficiaries.

Through this initiative, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting local communities and contributing to equal access to education.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Jeune Midnimo Biyokeid Association for its continued collaboration, commitment, and valuable support in making this initiative possible. We look forward to continuing to work together on future initiatives that create a positive and lasting impact within our community.

The British Embassy in Djibouti hosted a send-off event on Thursday 27 to celebrate this year’s Chevening Scholars ahead of their departure to the United Kingdom. Ilwade scholars celebrated was Ms. Ilwad Mahdi Abdi, who will be joining the University of Sussex to pursue a Master’s degree in International Law. iib East Africa is proud to sponsor Ms. Ilwad’s Chevening Scholarship, supporting her academic journey and contributing to the development of future talent in Djibouti.

The event was attended by H.E. Vinay Talwar, British Ambassador to Djibouti, and Mr Vianney Bizimana, Acting CEO of iib East Africa, alongside colleagues and guests who gathered to celebrate Ms. Ilwad’s achievement and wish her success as she begins this important new chapter.

iib East Africa’s sponsorship reflects iib’s wider commitment to investing in education, empowering young talent, and supporting the development of future leaders. iib’s involvement with the Chevening Scholarship programme began last year and has since become an integral part of its education mandate, supporting scholars in Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Cape Verde.

iib congratulates Ms. Ilwad Mahdi Abdi on this significant achievement and wishes her every success throughout her studies at the University of Sussex and beyond.

London, 16 July 2026 – iibGroup celebrated a remarkable achievement at the global Euromoney Awards for Excellence ceremony, held at The Peninsula London, where the Group received three major awards across two African markets, reinforcing its growing influence in the continent’s financial sector.

The evening saw iib West Africa claim two distinguished titles, Cape Verde’s Best Bank and Cape Verde’s Best Investment Bank, while iib East Africa was named Djibouti’s Best Investment Bank. For more than 30 years, the Euromoney Awards for Excellence have recognised financial institutions that set the global standard in performance, innovation and client impact.

These awards demonstrate iibGroup’s ability to deliver excellence across diverse markets. In Cape Verde, iib West Africa’s dual recognition reflects its strength across retail, corporate and investment banking, supported by landmark initiatives such as the country’s first Blue Bond.

In Djibouti, iib East Africa, was recognised for its leadership in investment banking, with particular strengths in structured trade finance and cross-border advisory services, reinforcing its position as a trusted financial partner in the region.

“These three Euromoney awards are a significant endorsement of our approach across two important markets. They reflect the consistency of our strategy, the capability of our teams, and the confidence that our clients continue to place in us. Recognition at this level reinforces our belief that excellence, integrity, and a long-term focus remain the foundations of sustainable success.”

Sohail Sultan, Group Chairman.

The London ceremony was attended by iibGroup representatives including Sohail Sultan, Chairman – iibGroup,Joseph Carasso, CEO – iib West Africa, Mateen Beg, CFO – iibGroup, Sabiha Sultan Director – Institutional Investors and Farah Sayeed, Director – Brands & MarCom.

The latest wins build on iibGroup’s momentum in 2026, following earlier recognition at the Euromoney Private Banking Awards. The Group remains focused on expanding its private banking, investment banking, and wealth management capabilities across Africa and beyond, combining global standards with deep local expertise.

About iib West Africa (Cape Verde)

iib West Africa is a licensed banking institution based in Cape Verde, serving corporate and institutional clients across the region. The bank is committed to advancing financial inclusion, innovation, and private sector development in the region.

About iib East Africa (Djibouti)

iib East Africa is a licensed banking institution based in Djibouti, with a representative office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, serving corporate and institutional clients across the Ethiopia–Djibouti corridor. The bank is committed to advancing financial inclusion, innovation, and private sector development in the region.

About iibGroup Holdings W.L.L. (Bahrain)

iibGroup is a diversified international investment and banking group with operations across East Africa, the Middle East, West Africa, and the Caribbean. The Group provides commercial banking, structured investment and advisory solutions while also deploying capital into high-impact sectors such as trade, digital infrastructure, and financial inclusion. Through its regional platforms, iibGroup supports SMEs, empowers women- and youth-led enterprises, and channels capital to industries that strengthen regional integration and sustainable growth across emerging markets.

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The iib West Africa has once again been awarded the “Partner Institution” Trophy, granted by the Blood Bank of the Agostinho Neto University Hospital (HUAN), in recognition of its ongoing commitment and the impact of the blood donation campaigns promoted by the institution over the years.

This distinction reflects the recognition of the work carried out by the bank through an initiative that is now in its 9th edition and has become one of its key corporate social responsibility actions. Implemented in partnership with the Blood Bank of the Agostinho Neto University Hospital, these campaigns have contributed to raising awareness about the importance of voluntary blood donation and strengthening blood reserves, playing a significant role in saving lives.

Over the various editions, the initiative has continued to grow and strengthen its impact, mobilizing employees and fostering a culture of solidarity and civic engagement. The “Partner Institution” Trophy specifically highlights the consistency and tangible contribution of these campaigns to the cause of blood donation.

According to the Head of Marketing at iib West Africa: “Receiving this distinction once again is a great source of pride for us, as it represents recognition of work that has been consistently developed over the years. The true value of this trophy lies in the impact of our campaigns and in the contribution we are able to make to such an important cause as saving lives.”

iib West Africa expresses its gratitude for this distinction and reaffirms its commitment to continuing to promote initiatives that generate positive impact within the community.

As part of the celebrations of World Blood Donor Day, observed on June 14, the IX Edition of the iib Blood Donation Campaign took place today at iib’s headquarters, reinforcing our commitment to social responsibility, solidarity, and the promotion of life.

This initiative brought together employees, partners, and volunteers around a noble cause, helping to strengthen blood reserves and support the important work carried out by the Blood Bank of the Agostinho Neto University Hospital (HUAN).

A very special thank you to:

iib employees, for their participation and spirit of solidarity;
The HUAN team, for their professionalism, availability, and dedication;
All donors who answered the call and contributed to the success of this campaign.

Every donation represents an opportunity to save lives and bring hope to those who need it most. Through simple yet invaluable acts of generosity, we continue to help build a more caring and compassionate society.

Thank you for being part of this mission. Together, we continue to make a difference!

iib, Your Bank, Your Future!

Addis Ababa, 2nd June 2026 – Building on its successful partnership with the Chevening Scholarships programme in Cabo Verde and Djibouti, iibGroup has renewed its support for the 2026–2027 academic year and expanded the initiative to Ethiopia. This year, three fully funded Chevening scholarships will be awarded across Africa, one each in Cabo Verde, Djibouti, and Ethiopia, reinforcing iib’s commitment to education, leadership development, and capacity building across the continent.

A formal signing ceremony was held on Tuesday, 2 June, at the residence of the UK Ambassador in Addis Ababa to officially mark the partnership. The event brought together H.E. Darren Welch, UK Ambassador to Ethiopia & Permanent Representative to the African Union, and Sohail Sultan, Chairman of iibGroup. The ceremony was attended by a distinguished group of stakeholders, including S.K. Husain, Maruf Ahmed, Mateen Beg, Aynalem Ababu and Farah Sayeed, representing iib. Zafar Sultan, Scott Lewis and Ali Khuatau were also in attendance. The ceremony highlighted the collective commitment of all parties to foster meaningful collaboration and strengthen strategic partnerships in support of shared objectives.

Speaking at the occasion, Sohail Sultan, Chairman of iibGroup, said, “Over the past year, students supported through the iib Chevening Scholarships have demonstrated the transformative power of investing in talent. Their achievements are generating positive ripple effects, not only in their own lives but also across their communities. By extending this partnership to cover Ethiopia, we reaffirm our commitment to nurturing future leaders and advancing sustainable and inclusive development across the continent. As an institution with an active presence in emerging markets, supporting social development is of critical importance to us. We are immensely proud to work closely with the FCDO and its local representatives on initiatives we truly believe in. Education, in our view, is fundamental to both social and economic progress, and the Chevening programme represents the very best of British values.”

H.E. Darren Welch, UK Ambassador to Ethiopia & Permanent Representative to the African Union, stated, “This new partnership with iib will create opportunities for the next generation of women Ethiopian leaders through our Chevening programme. We are proud to be collaborating with iib to support Ethiopian talent, and through supporting scholarships in the financial sector, we will be giving opportunities to learn about the London market, one of the world’s biggest and most innovative. Through the Chevening programme, we are investing not only in education, but in the future of Ethiopia’s financial sector and its global connections. We look forward to seeing the impact these brilliant scholars will have in the years ahead.”

The Chevening Scholarship initiative, funded by the UK Government, is aimed at exceptional individuals with proven leadership potential and a strong drive to make an impact. The programme fully supports postgraduate studies at universities across the United Kingdom while also connecting scholars to an influential international community of more than 60,000 alumni spanning over 160 countries and regions worldwide.

Beyond covering tuition and living expenses, iib will provide selected scholars with mentorship, professional guidance, and hands-on exposure to its diverse portfolio of initiatives through active involvement in meaningful projects across the organisation. This continued commitment reflects iib’s dedication to developing future leaders, creating lasting social impact, and empowering talented individuals to drive innovation and contribute to sustainable development within their communities and beyond.

About iibGroup Holdings W.L.L. (Bahrain)

About iib East Africa

Lisbon, 19 May 2026 – iibGroup is once again partnering with Chevening Scholarships, the UK programme that provides scholarships for postgraduate studies in the UK, with the award of three scholarships in Africa: one in Cabo Verde, one in Djibouti and another in Ethiopia.
The partnership with Cabo Verde was formalized on Monday 18 May in Lisbon, with the signing of the agreement between Lisa Bandari, UK Ambassador to Portugal and Cabo Verde, and Sohail Sultan, Chairman iibGroup. The ceremony was also attended by S.K. Husain, COO iibGroup, Joseph Carasso, CEO iib West Africa and Sabiha Sultan, Director – Institutional Investors iibGroup.

“The students who have benefited from Chevening scholarships through iibGroup over the past year demonstrate the real impact that this type of initiative can have, not only at an individual level but also within their communities. By renewing this partnership, we are reinforcing our commitment to empowering talent and promoting more inclusive and sustainable development, training the leaders of tomorrow”, emphasized Sohail Sultan during the event.

Also at the ceremony, Lisa Bandari stated: “Chevening It is truly a life-changing experience, opening doors to world-class education, cultural exchange, and a global network of over 60,000 alumni, including presidents, entrepreneurs, scientists, educators, and civil society leaders. Today’s renewal ensures that another talented Master’s student will have that same opportunity. We strongly believe that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. By funding this scholarship with the UK Government, iibGroup is helping to close that gap and unlock potential in Cabo Verde”.
Chevening is the UK government’s scholarship programme, through which scholarships are awarded to individuals with a strong academic background who demonstrate leadership potential. It offers financial support to study at a UK university and the opportunity to join an influential global network of over 60,000 alumni across more than 160 countries and territories.

In addition to financial support, iibGroup will mentor and support the selected students, integrating them into the group’s various initiatives. iibGroup continues to strengthen its role as a catalyst for progress, reaffirming its commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders and promoting innovation for a more sustainable future.

Applications for Chevening scholarships are currently being reviewed.

About iibGroup Holdings W.L.L. (Bahrain)
iibGroup is a diversified international investment and banking group with operations across East Africa, the Middle East, West Africa, and the Caribbean. The Group provides commercial banking, structured investment and advisory solutions while also deploying capital into high-impact sectors such as trade, digital infrastructure, and financial inclusion. Through its regional platforms, iibGroup supports SMEs, empowers women- and youth-led enterprises, and channels capital to industries that strengthen regional integration and sustainable growth across emerging markets.
For more information, visit www.iibanks.com

About iib West Africa:
iib West Africa is a licensed banking institution headquartered in Cape Verde, serving corporate and institutional clients across the African continent. The bank is committed to promoting financial inclusion, innovation and the development of the private sector in the region.

Praia, 11 May 2026 – iib West Africa has been honoured with the Exchange Operator Award 2025 – Primary Market (Corporate and Municipal) by the Bolsa de Valores de Cabo Verde (BVC), as part of the ceremony commemorating the 28th anniversary of BVC.

The award was presented during the Bolsa Awards ceremony held on May 11 at Hotel Pérola, Praia, Cape Verde, bringing together key representatives from the financial and capital markets ecosystem.

This recognition highlights iib West Africa’s active role in supporting the development of Cape Verde’s capital markets through innovative and impact-driven financial instruments. The bank’s work across Green Bonds, Blue Bonds, and Social Bonds was also showcased during the ceremony through a video presentation highlighting their contribution to social development, healthcare, and the Blue Economy.

Mr. Joseph Carasso, CEO of iib West Africa, received the award from Márcia Solange Tavares Teixeira Marçal, Executive Director of BVC and Executive Member of the Board.

“This award is a meaningful recognition of iib West Africa’s continued commitment to developing sustainable and innovative financial solutions in Cape Verde. Through instruments such as Green, Blue, and Social Bonds, we are working to support capital market growth while directing investment toward projects that deliver real economic, social, and environmental impact.”

Joseph Carasso, CEO of iib West Africa.

The award further reinforces iib West Africa’s positioning as a leading contributor to Cape Verde’s financial market development, supporting initiatives that connect investment capital with national priorities across sustainability, infrastructure, community development, and inclusive growth.

Through its continued engagement with BVC and key market stakeholders, iib West Africa remains committed to strengthening the role of capital markets in advancing long-term development across Cape Verde.

About iib West Africa (Cape Verde)

About iib Group Holdings W.L.L. (Bahrain)

iibGroup is a diversified international investment and banking group with a presence across East Africa, the Middle East, West Africa, and the Caribbean. The Group delivers banking, investment, and advisory solutions, focusing on high-impact sectors like trade, digital infrastructure, and financial inclusion. Through its regional platforms, iibGroup supports SMEs, empowers women- and youth-led enterprises, and invests in industries that promote regional integration and sustainable growth across emerging markets.

London, 21 April 2026 — iibGroup is proud to announce that iib East Africa has been named Best Sustainable Bank in Djibouti 2026 by Global Finance Magazine as part of its annual Sustainable Finance Awards. The recognition was presented at the Global Finance Awards Ceremony, bringing together leading financial institutions from around the world.

This marks the second consecutive year the bank has received this recognition, reinforcing its growing role in advancing sustainable finance across the Ethiopia–Djibouti corridor.

The Global Finance Sustainable Finance Awards recognise institutions demonstrating strong integration of sustainability into their operations, alongside measurable contribution to economic development through responsible financing practices.

Representing iibGroup at the ceremony were Sohail Sultan, Chairman of iibGroup, and S.K. Husain, COO, who accepted the award on behalf of the bank. The recognition reflects iib East Africa’s continued focus on enabling access to finance, supporting enterprise growth, and delivering responsible banking solutions in Djibouti and the wider region.

“Sustainable finance remains central to how we operate across our markets. Our focus is on deploying capital in a way that supports long-term economic growth while enabling businesses to scale. This recognition reflects the progress we are making in delivering that impact.”

Sohail Sultan, Chairman of iibGroup.

iib East Africa continues to prioritise sustainable finance across key sectors including trade, infrastructure, and private enterprise, supporting long-term development while strengthening financial inclusion.

This recognition further underscores iibGroup’s commitment to building a responsible and impact-driven banking platform across emerging markets.