Freetown, 1st May 2026– Dr. Walton E. Gilpin, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Rokel Commercial Bank (SL) Limited, has been appointed Vice President 1 of the West African Bankers’ Association (WABA), marking another milestone for Sierra Leone’s banking leadership on the regional stage.
The appointment was confirmed during the 79th WABA Executive Council and 43rd General Assembly held in Monrovia, Liberia, from April 28–29, 2026.
Founded on August 10, 1981, in Accra, Ghana, WABA serves as the umbrella body for all banks within the ECOWAS sub‑region, promoting cooperation to facilitate intra‑regional trade and payments. The association was established following recommendations from Central Bank Governors and endorsed by regional Heads of State.
In his address to the assembly, Dr. Gilpin urged members to reposition WABA as an indispensable resource for bank CEOs across West Africa. He emphasized the need for the association to deliver tangible value for membership dues by enhancing Know Your Customer (KYC) standards and deepening collaboration with European and American banking partners.
He also highlighted WABA’s role in digital transaction oversight, calling for stronger frameworks to mitigate anti‑money‑laundering risks and fraudulent activities.
Dr. Gilpin proposed transforming WABA into a regional research and resource hub, enabling bank leaders to measure their Return on Investment (ROI) and benchmark performance. He encouraged the association to champion the Pan‑African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) and other innovative digital payment platforms to ensure relevance in a rapidly evolving financial landscape.
Outgoing President Dr. Guy Laurent Fondjo and President‑designate Dr. Dele Alabi echoed his vision, calling for a review of WABA’s strategic roadmap and stronger partnerships with institutions such as Afreximbank and the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID).
WABA Secretary‑General Alhajie Jeng commended Dr. Gilpin’s strategic insight, noting that his leadership qualities earned him unanimous election as Vice President 1, alongside Ms. Isatu Jawara of The Gambia as Vice President 2, and Dr. Dele Alabi of Nigeria as President‑designate.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Gilpin expressed gratitude for the confidence placed in him and reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening engagement among bank CEOs. He proposed creating a WhatsApp coordination group to enhance communication and collaboration, and urged Central Banks across West Africa to play more active roles in supporting WABA’s mission.
His appointment underscores Sierra Leone’s growing influence in regional banking and signals a renewed push for integration, innovation, and trust across West Africa’s financial systems.
