Standard Chartered Appoints Dalu Ajene as CEO for Africa

Standard Chartered Appoints Dalu Ajene as CEO for Africa

Standard Chartered recently announced the appointment of Dalu Ajene as the Chief Executive Officer for the bank’s operations in Africa. In this new role, Mr. Ajene also assumes dual responsibilities as the Head of Coverage for Africa.

This transition marks a pivotal moment for the bank as it seeks to accelerate growth across its Corporate, Investment Banking, and Wealth and Retail businesses on the continent.

A Track Record of Excellence in Nigeria

Before this regional appointment, Mr. Ajene served as the CEO of Standard Chartered Nigeria. During his tenure, which began in April 2024, he led the bank to achieve exceptional financial results.

For instance, under his leadership, the Nigerian franchise successfully met the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) recapitalization requirement of ₦200 billion for national commercial banks. Remarkably, the team reached this target well ahead of the March 2026 deadline.

Furthermore, Mr. Ajene brings over 25 years of experience in the global financial services sector to his new position. Before joining Standard Chartered, he served as the CEO of Rand Merchant Bank Nigeria.

Consequently, his deep understanding of both local and international markets positions him perfectly to lead the bank’s broader African strategy.

Standard Chartered Appoints Dalu Ajene as CEO for Africa

Driving Growth and Catalytic Capital

In his official statement regarding the appointment, Mr. Ajene expressed his honor in taking on these broader responsibilities.

He noted that the transition reflects the resilience of the bank’s teams and the impact they have delivered during a period of significant change.

Additionally, he emphasized that Standard Chartered remains a key partner in trade finance and development finance across the region.

Ultimately, Mr. Ajene aims to work closely with teams across the continent to mobilize catalytic capital and create sustainable value for clients.

By leveraging technology to deliver client-centric services, he intends to foster a culture of high performance centered around people empowerment.

Ensuring Leadership Continuity

As a result of this transition, Standard Chartered has appointed Ayodeji Adelagun as the Acting CEO for its Nigerian operations. This move ensures that the bank maintains its business momentum in one of its most critical priority markets.

Dalu Ajene, an alumnus of Dartmouth College and Harvard Business School, takes over the regional reins from Kariuki Ngari. As the bank looks toward the future, this appointment reaffirms its commitment to promoting excellence and delivering robust financial outcomes for all its African stakeholders.

About Standard Chartered

Standard Chartered is a leading international banking group with a presence in 53 of the world’s most dynamic markets. With a history of over 170 years in Africa, the bank remains dedicated to driving commerce and prosperity through its unique diversity.