Gwendoline Abunaw, CEO of Ecobank Cameroon and Head of the CEMAC Cluster, has been honoured for her leadership and contributions to the banking and financial sector in the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC). At the Africa Finance Banking & Digital Summit in Brazzaville, Congo, in January 2024, Ms. Abunaw received the “Woman of the Year” award for the region.
Celebrating the award, Ecobank wrote on Facebook saying, “We’re thrilled to announce that Mrs. Gwendoline Abunaw, Managing Director of Ecobank Cameroon and CEMAC Cluster Head, was honoured as the Woman of the Year in the Banking and Finance Sector for the CEMAC region. Her exceptional leadership and dedication were recognised at the Africa Finance Banking & Digital Summit in Brazzaville, Congo, back in January 2024.”
This recognition highlights Abunaw’s extensive experience and achievements in the financial industry, with over 20 years in various positions at Ecobank. Previously, she served as the Head of Corporate Bank Cameroon, overseeing operations across six additional countries in Central Africa. Her leadership has been instrumental in driving strategic initiatives benefiting Ecobank Cameroon and impacting the broader financial landscape of the CEMAC region.
Beyond her professional achievements, Abunaw advocates for women’s empowerment and financial inclusion, actively participating in industry conferences to share insights and experiences with fellow female leaders.
“You don’t have to go to Harvard University in the United States to gain an entrepreneurial mind. You can gain an entrepreneurial mind right here in Cameroon,” she said in 2023 in an event in Cameroon.
Who is Gwendoline Abunaw?
Ecobank, which she manages, is a subsidiary of a prominent pan-African banking group operating in 35 countries across the continent. Since November 2021, she has also assumed the role of Cluster Head for CEMAC, overseeing six Ecobank affiliates in the Central African Economic and Monetary Community.
In June 2022, Ms. Abunaw made history as the first female President of the Cameroonian Banking and Financial Institutions’ Association (APECCAM), a key entity representing all banks and financial institutions in Cameroon. With an extensive banking career spanning over 20 years, she has held C-suite positions since 2011. Her roles have included Head of Corporate Bank Cameroon, with oversight of operations in six central African countries, Deputy Managing Director, and subsequently, Managing Director of Ecobank Cameroon.
As a board member at Ecobank Cameroon, Ecobank Chad, and E-process International (Ecobank Group’s technology service provider), she also chairs the boards for Pan African Savings and Loans (a microfinance member of the Ecobank Group), EDC Investment Corporation (an investment bank member of the Ecobank Group), and EDC Assets Management.
Mrs. Abunaw is recognised as a thought leader in the industry and frequently speaks at conferences, addressing a variety of topics, including women in leadership/empowerment, innovation and digital transformation in the financial sector, as well as youth motivation and technology.
Educationally, Gwendoline Abunaw holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Banking and Finance from Buea University (Cameroon) and an MBA from the London Metropolitan University (UK). Before joining Ecobank Cameroon in 2011, she held various roles at both Standard Chartered Bank and Citibank.
