Standard Chartered Plc has appointed Dalu Ajene as chief executive officer for Africa, expanding his role to include head of coverage for the region as the lender sharpens its focus on high-growth emerging markets.
Ajene, who has served as CEO of Standard Chartered Nigeria since April 2024, will oversee the bank’s African operations spanning corporate and investment banking as well as wealth and retail businesses. His appointment comes as international lenders reposition to capture trade flows, infrastructure financing and capital market opportunities across the continent.
During his tenure in Nigeria, Ajene led the unit to strong year-on-year financial performance and oversaw compliance with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s ₦200 billion recapitalisation requirement for national commercial banks ahead of the March 2026 deadline. Before joining Standard Chartered, he was chief executive officer of Rand Merchant Bank Nigeria.
“Across the region, Standard Chartered remains a key partner in trade finance, structured solutions and development finance,” Ajene said in a statement. He added that the bank would continue leveraging technology and mobilising capital to support client growth and sustainable development across Africa.
Ajene has more than 25 years of experience in global financial services. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Dartmouth College and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
He succeeds Kariuki Ngari as CEO for Africa and assumes responsibilities previously held within Sarmad Lone’s Africa coverage portfolio.