By Amin Kef (Ranger)
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Rokel Commercial Bank (SL) Limited, Dr. Walton Ekundayo Gilpin, has been unanimously appointed as Vice President I of the West African Bankers’ Association (WABA), in a significant development for Sierra Leone’s banking sector and regional financial cooperation.
The appointment was confirmed during the Association’s 79th Executive Council Meeting and 43rd General Assembly held in Monrovia, Liberia, from April 28 to 29, 2026, where key banking stakeholders from across the sub-region convened to deliberate on the future of West Africa’s financial systems.
WABA, established on August 10, 1981, in Accra, Ghana, remains a central platform for banks within the Economic Community of West African States, fostering collaboration aimed at strengthening intra-regional trade, payment systems and financial integration.
In his address to the Assembly, Dr. Walton Ekundayo Gilpin underscored the urgent need for WABA to position itself as a vital institution for Chief Executive Officers of banks across West Africa. He emphasized that the Association must demonstrate tangible value to its members, particularly those questioning the returns on their investment in membership dues.
He further highlighted the importance of enhancing Know Your Customer (KYC) frameworks and deepening partnerships with European and American financial institutions. According to him, WABA has a critical role to play in strengthening oversight of digital transactions, reducing exposure to anti-money laundering risks and combating financial fraud within the region.
Dr. Walton Ekundayo Gilpin also proposed the transformation of WABA into a robust resource centre and research hub, where bank executives can effectively evaluate their return on investment and access strategic insights. He called on the Association to champion initiatives such as the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System, alongside emerging digital payment solutions, to ensure its continued relevance in an evolving financial landscape.
Echoing similar sentiments, outgoing WABA President Dr. Guy Laurent Fondjo and President-designate Dr. Dele Alabi stressed the need for a comprehensive review of the Association’s strategic roadmap. They called for stronger coordination among member institutions and deeper partnerships with key regional financial bodies, including the African Export-Import Bank and the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development, to enhance WABA’s influence and effectiveness.
Secretary General Alhajie Jeng commended Dr. Walton Ekundayo Gilpin for his strategic contributions to the Association, noting that his leadership and vision played a pivotal role in his unanimous election. He also confirmed the appointment of Isatu Jawara as Vice President II.
In his acceptance remarks, Dr. Walton Ekundayo Gilpin expressed profound appreciation to the membership for the confidence reposed in him. He reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening engagement among bank CEOs across the sub-region and proposed the creation of a dedicated communication platform to enhance collaboration.
He also called on Central Banks within West Africa to take a more proactive role in supporting WABA’s mission, stressing that collective action and sustained cooperation remain essential to driving meaningful transformation in the region’s banking sector.
