iib is proud to announce its partnership with the UK’s prestigious Chevening Scholarship postgraduate program, reaffirming our dedication to empowering the next generation of leaders in Djibouti and beyond. This collaboration reflects iib’s ongoing efforts to invest in education, leadership, and innovation by supporting exceptional individuals in their academic and professional journeys. In addition to the scholarship in Djibouti, iib West Africa will also be sponsoring a scholarship in Cape Verde.

The Chevening Scholarship, with a legacy spanning 42 years, has nurtured thousands of outstanding scholars worldwide, many of whom have gone on to hold influential positions in politics, commerce, science and the arts. It’s an astonishing global network. Through this program, iib aims to provide talented individuals from Djibouti with the opportunity to access world-class education, equipping them with the skills, knowledge and networks necessary to drive change in their communities.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, H.E. Vinay Talwar, British Ambassador to Djibouti & UK Representative to IGAD said, “The Chevening program has been running for 42 years, fostering bright minds who have gone on to hold key positions worldwide. We’re really delighted that iib is joining this initiative. Their involvement ensures that future leaders from Djibouti can benefit from this network, and we look forward to selecting candidates who will drive impactful change.”

Farah Sayeed, Director of Brands & Marcom, iibGroup highlighted the importance of this collaboration, “Our partnership with the Chevening Scholarship program is a testament to our commitment to investing in the future leaders of Djibouti. By supporting talented individuals in their academic and professional journeys, we empower them to contribute to the broader development of our communities.”

Currently, Chevening is in the process of reviewing applications and will conduct interviews in early April. iib will work closely with Chevening to select the most promising candidates, ensuring they receive the support needed to maximize their potential.

Beyond financial support, iib is committed to mentoring and promoting the selected scholars, integrating them into the institution’s broader initiatives. This partnership is not just about funding education—it is about cultivating a network of leaders who will contribute to Djibouti’s socio-economic growth and global presence.

With this initiative, iib continues to strengthen its role as a catalyst for progress, investing in human capital and fostering innovation for a brighter, more sustainable future.

At iib bank, we are convinced that every player, no matter how small, has a major responsibility in protecting the environment.

For this reason and as part of our sustainable development program, we have decided to organize a clean-up event on the Ile De La Tortue on Saturday February 15, 2025, in partnership with organizations that share our values and convictions. We worked with teams from the UNDP, Rotary Club, SOS environnement, CAC and AADD. The day was an opportunity for everyone to realize the importance of preserving the maritime spaces that represent a significant part of Djibouti’s eco-system. This realization created positive energy among all the teams, who actively collected all the garbage around the beach. We had the support of the president of the Boulaos commune in carrying out this mission. The efforts of each and every one of us paid off, as we managed to collect around 400 KG of used plastic, which was sent to the Eco Tech company in charge of plastic recycling. This activity highlights iib’s efforts to make Djibouti a cleaner, greener city.

To all our partners, our deepest thanks for this productive and enriching day. Thanks to everyone’s good will and motivation, we were able to make a real contribution to preserving our environment. Together, let’s continue to have a positive impact on our planet.

Djibouti, January 20, 2025 – iib East Africa has been awarded the Best Bank for Sustainable Finance in Djibouti by Global Finance Magazine as part of its 2025 Sustainable Finance Awards. This prestigious recognition underscores iib East Africa’s unwavering commitment to advancing sustainable finance and fostering economic growth through responsible banking practices.

The Global Finance Sustainable Finance Awards celebrate financial institutions that excel in integrating sustainability into their core operations, financing initiatives that combat climate change, and promoting responsible investment strategies. Winners are selected based on governance policies, sustainability goals, and measurable achievements in environmental and social impact financing.

“This achievement is more than just a title; it is a testament to the role we play in financing progress – supporting businesses, empowering communities, and driving sustainable development,” said Sohail Sultan, CEO. “We have embraced the responsibility of shaping a more resilient and inclusive financial future, and this recognition reaffirms that we are on the right path.”

iib East Africa’s strategic focus on sustainability includes financing renewable energy projects, supporting SMEs with green business models, and championing financial inclusion to drive economic empowerment. This award marks a significant milestone as iib Group’s first Global Finance award, reflecting its regional leadership in sustainable banking.

About Global Finance

Founded in 1987, Global Finance is a trusted source of financial news, analysis, and rankings, serving senior corporate and financial decision-makers in 188 countries. Its awards programs recognize excellence in banking and finance worldwide.

Read the Global Finance Press Release

“This achievement is more than just a title; it is a testament to the role we play in financing progress – supporting businesses, empowering communities, and driving sustainable development.”

Sohail Sultan, Chairman – iibGroup

iib Djibouti is the first bank recognised as a Great Place To Work® in the region. All this is thanks to our passionate and dedicated team

Following a survey conducted among colleagues, iib ranked exceptionally high across all parameters, including workplace culture, collaboration, open-door policy, teamwork, and camaraderie. iib congratulates the entire team on achieving this tremendous milestone.

High Level Results

“Becoming the first in the region certified as a Great Place to Work is a proud moment for iib Djibouti. This achievement is a testament to your dedication, teamwork, and shared vision. Thank you for setting the standard of excellence—we’ll keep leading together!”

Maruf Ahmed, Director – iib East Africa

Great Place To Work ® is the global authority on high-trust, high-performance workplace cultures. Through proprietary assessment tools, advisory services, and certification programs, Great Place To Work ® recognises the Best Workplaces™ across the world in a series of national lists including those published by Fortune magazine (USA) and in leading media across the Middle East. Great Place To Work ® provides the benchmarks, framework, and expertise needed to create, sustain, and recognise outstanding workplace cultures.

Visit iib on GPTW

In observance of #WorldFoodDay, iib East Africa, in partnership with Souna Alhaya, took an active role by organizing a food distribution initiative. iib recognizes its responsibility in contributing to the well-being of the communities where it operates and Djibouti is no exception. The population of the country presents a critical need for sustainable support and iib continues to take tangible steps toward poverty alleviation.

This initiative, carried out at the premises of Souna Alhaya, saw iib employees on the ground, personally distributing food packages to 90 families. These curated food packs provided families with essential nutrients, offering relief from the daily struggle of securing food. By delivering this much-needed assistance, iib aimed not just to alleviate hunger but also to reinforce a sense of stability and hope within these communities.

At iib, this is not a one-off gesture, but part of our ongoing commitment to empowering communities in need. Our employees were deeply involved in the effort, embodying iib’s belief in compassion and action, demonstrating that our dedication extends beyond corporate commitments to real human engagement. By stepping into the role of community supporters, our team contributed to strengthening the fabric of society, one family at a time.

Aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, particularly #ZeroHunger, this initiative underscores iib’s broader mission of fostering community resilience and well-being. We believe that sustainable development can only be achieved through active participation and collective action. As we continue our journey in Djibouti, we remain dedicated to making a measurable difference in the lives of the underserved, ensuring that they have the resources needed to build a brighter future.

At iib, our CSR activities are a reflection of our deep-rooted values, focusing on the critical issues facing our communities and proactively working to address them. Through our partnerships, we continue to drive positive change, reaffirming our role as a key player in the region’s development story.”

Global Payment Services (GPS), a leading FinTech and third-party payment processor in the Kingdom of Bahrain, announces its strategic partnership with International Investment Bank S.A., (iib East Africa) a management-owned bank with operations in Djibouti, among other locations.

Through this collaboration, GPS will be extending its payment processing capabilities to the East African market, providing Djibouti with VISA sponsorship, licensing, and secure infrastructure solutions to support the launch of prepaid and debit card products.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with iib East Africa to bring our innovative payment technologies to the financial industry in Djibouti,” said Mr. Ali Arab, the General Manager of Global Payment Services (GPS). “This agreement aligns with our broader strategy to expand our footprint across Africa and leverage our expertise to drive financial inclusion and economic growth in emerging markets.”

As part of the partnership, GPS will be deploying its advanced fraud management system and card management solutions to power iib East Africa’s new card offerings. This will enable the bank to deliver a secure and reliable payment experience to its customers.

Sohail Sultan, Chairman of iibGroup, commented on the occasion: “Collaborating with an industry leader as exemplified by GPS, allows us to offer innovative digital payment products that meet the evolving needs of our East African bank. We look forward to a successful long-term partnership that will support our mission of expanding access to innovative financial services across the region.”

GPS views this partnership as a crucial milestone in its strategy to expand operations across Africa and the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region. Both parties are united in their vision for innovation and excellence, committed to providing outstanding payment services that cater to the diverse needs of their customers.

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(Page 74)

London, UK – June 25th, 2024 – iibanks is thrilled to announce that Mr. Sohail Sultan, CEO of iibanks, has been Awarded CEO of the Year in the Finance Industry by European CEO. This prestigious recognition underscores Mr. Sultan’s exemplary leadership, vast experience, and significant contributions to the financial sector.

The judging panel at European CEO was particularly impressed with Mr. Sultan’s extensive and distinguished career in the financial services industry. Sohail has 30 years of experience in financial services, acquired at leading multinational financial institutions.

“I have also been asked to pass on to you that in doing their due diligence and making their final decision, the judging panel were immensely impressed with Mr. Sohail Sultan in multiple ways,” the European CEO panel stated.

“Firstly, with Mr. Sohail Sultan’s immense and impressive high-level experience within the financial services sector, including starting his career at Citibank here in London, and subsequently reaching the position of not only the Head of Global Product Development for Financial Institutions but also the Head of Structured Finance for the Asia Pacific.”

Beginning his career at Citibank in London, Mr. Sultan quickly rose through the ranks to become the Head of Global Product Development for Financial Institutions, Head of Structured Finance for the Asia Pacific, and Head of Cross Border European Structured Product Arbitrage within six years. His roles included managing processes and risks, driving revenue, innovating products, and executing deals across Europe, the Americas, Africa, and the Far East.

Subsequently, Mr. Sultan worked at Barclays Capital in London for nine years, holding senior positions, including Managing Director. During his tenure, he was responsible for expanding the company’s Structured Capital Markets business beyond the UK into North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific.

Following his time at Barclays, he provided advisory services for private equity infrastructure projects in South Asia, the Middle East, and the UK at Cobussen and Partners, developing a portfolio of structured investments with private and institutional investors.

“The judging panel were also delighted to know that Mr. Sultan, in his 30 years of experience, has held senior positions at Barclays Capital, including Managing Director, along with working at Cobussen and Partners, where he provided expert advisory services,” the statement continued.

The panel highlighted Mr. Sultan’s continued demonstration of leadership, his achievements, and his ambition for iibanks’s expansion as crucial factors in their decision. “From the judging panel’s point of view, the leadership Mr. Sohail Sultan continues to demonstrate combined with his experience, achievements, and ambition for the group when it comes to expansion were important factors that the other shortlisted candidates could not compete with.”

This recognition by European CEO is a testament to Mr. Sultan’s dedication and the innovative spirit he brings to iibankss. His leadership has been pivotal in driving the company’s growth and success in an increasingly competitive financial landscape.

View the award

At iib, we believe in taking tangible steps towards a sustainable future, and what better occasion to do so than Earth Day!

In line with the theme for 2024: “Planet vs Plastics,” iib set out to do something unique, inclusive and actionable. On the 28th of April, in partnership with the team at Sounah Al Haya, iib organised an activity that truly represented the values and ideals we hope to foster in society. From refugee students to special needs children, the iib team led dozens of children on a neighbourhood clean-up drive around their schools. To witness children from all walks of life, work cheerfully and collectively to pick up over 30 bags of garbage and litter off their streets was especially heartwarming and inspiring for everyone involved.

This initiative marks yet another step forward in our sustainability goals at iib. Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword for us; it’s central to our promise and ethos. We firmly believe that by investing in initiatives like these, and empowering organisations like Sounah Al Haya, whose inclusionary approach reflects our own, we can create a brighter and more sustainable future for generations to come.

To all the students who participated, and to our partners at Sounah Al Haya, we’re so proud of what you accomplished and we celebrate you for playing your part in keeping our community clean and green. Your passion and dedication inspire us to keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Together, let’s continue to make a positive impact on our planet.