About This Opportunity

Ecobank's Global Financing Solutions division sits at the apex of African debt capital markets activity. With a unique pan-African distribution network spanning 35 countries and established relationships with development finance institutions including the IFC, AfDB, and Proparco, Ecobank is distinctively positioned to originate, structure, and distribute complex debt transactions across the continent. As African corporates, sovereigns, and infrastructure sponsors seek increasingly diverse financing structures, the Loan Syndication & Distribution function plays a growing strategic role.

This Group Manager appointment is a senior commercial role with direct responsibility for building and executing Ecobank's syndicated loan pipeline. You will originate mandates, structure documentation, manage investor relationships, and lead a team of syndication professionals — across transactions that typically range from $50 million to $500 million in size. The Abidjan or Paris location reflects both the bilingual nature of Ecobank's pan-African operations and the global orientation of the role's investor relations mandate.

For African finance professionals with syndication experience, this is one of the most senior loan capital markets roles available on the continent, with direct exposure to cross-border, multi-currency structured finance.

JOB PURPOSE

Job Title: Group Manager, Loan Syndication & Distribution, Global Financing Solutions

Reports to: Group Head Loan Solutions & Distribution, Global Financing Solutions

Direct Reports: Loan Syndication Officers, Managers

Location: Abidjan or Paris

The Group Manager, Loan Syndication & Distribution is responsible for originating, structuring, and distributing syndicated loan and structured debt transactions across Ecobank's global footprint. The role leads the execution of Ecobank's loan solutions strategy, building a strong pipeline of syndication and distribution mandates while deepening relationships with investors, financial institutions, and corporate clients.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Transaction Origination & Structuring

• Originate, structure, and execute syndicated loan transactions for corporate, project finance, and sovereign clients across Africa and the diaspora.

• Lead the preparation of information memoranda, term sheets, and credit documentation for syndicated facilities.

• Coordinate with legal counsels, arrangers, and technical advisors to ensure smooth transaction execution.

• Develop innovative loan structures tailored to client needs and market conditions, including club deals, bilateral syndications, and sub-participation arrangements.

Distribution & Investor Relations

• Build and maintain a strong network of institutional investors, development finance institutions (DFIs), multilateral agencies, and commercial lenders for secondary market distribution.

• Drive the placement of Ecobank's loan assets in the secondary market, reducing concentration risk and freeing up balance sheet capacity.

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of investor appetite, pricing benchmarks, and market trends to inform distribution strategies.

Business Development

• Actively develop a pipeline of syndication mandates by engaging with CIB teams, relationship managers, and external stakeholders.

• Represent Ecobank at industry conferences, investor roadshows, and client events to promote the Bank's loan solutions capabilities.

• Collaborate with the DCM, project finance, trade finance, and transaction banking teams to deliver integrated financing solutions.

Team Leadership & Governance

• Lead and develop the loan syndication and distribution team, setting clear objectives and performance standards.

• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, internal credit policies, and syndicated loan market best practices (LMA standards).

• Produce regular pipeline, market, and performance reports for senior management.

JOB PROFILE

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field; Master's degree or CFA preferred.

• Minimum 8–10 years of relevant experience in loan syndication, structured finance, or debt capital markets within an investment or commercial bank.

• Established network among African and international institutional investors and financial institutions.

• Proven track record of structuring and successfully distributing complex loan transactions.

• Experience in project finance, leveraged finance, or trade finance is an advantage.

Skills & Competencies

• Deep technical knowledge of syndicated loan documentation (LMA/APLMA standards) and credit structuring.

• Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; French language proficiency is a strong advantage.

• Ability to manage multiple transactions simultaneously under time pressure.

• High level of professional integrity and client relationship management.

Applying for This Role

• French is effectively required: The Abidjan or Paris posting and Ecobank's francophone African footprint mean English-only applicants will be at a significant disadvantage. Be clear and honest about your French proficiency level.
• Deal track record is your application: Name specific transactions (where publicly disclosed) — deal sizes, your role, whether they closed successfully. Metrics matter more than job titles at this level.
• LMA documentation depth: Prepare to discuss LMA facility agreement provisions, recent market practice changes, and sub-participation structures. The interview will test technical depth, not just commercial experience.
• DFI and institutional investor network: Your existing relationships with AfDB, IFC, OPIC/DFC, European DFIs, and institutional investors are your most valuable asset for this role. Be specific about who you know and the depth of those relationships.