Gervais Koffi Djondo: Togolese Visionary Behind Ecobank And Asky Airlines' Rise

As co-founder of Ecobank, Djondo helped build a pan-African banking giant that now operates in 35 countries.

He launched Asky Airlines in 2010, filling the void left by Air Afriques collapse and establishing a major regional carrier.

At 90, Djondo remains chairman of Asky Airlines and a leading advocate for African economic unity.

Gervais Koffi Djondo is one of Africas most influential business minds, yet for decades, the institutions he built, Ecobank and Asky Airlines, have often overshadowed the man behind them.

More than just an entrepreneur, he is a financial architect and a bold strategist whose impact can be seen across Africas economic landscape.

Through banking and aviation, he has not only transformed industries but also advanced regional integration, proving that African-led institutions can thrive on a global scale.

Djondos push to transform Africas financial sector began in the late 1970s when he co-founded the West African Federation of Chambers of Commerce.

At the time, African economies were fragmented, and businesses struggled with cross-border transactions due to the lack of a unified banking system. While many saw insurmountable barriers, Djondo saw an opportunity.