By Sallieu S. Kanu
Monrovia, Liberia – July 2, 2025: Rokel Commercial Bank (RCBank) is charting new territory as it embarks on an exploratory mission to the Republic of Liberia. On Tuesday, 1st July 2025, a senior-level delegation led by Managing Director Dr. Walton Ekundayo Gilpin departed Sierra Leone to begin talks that could signal the bank’s entry into the Liberian market.
The mission aims to assess the feasibility of establishing a physical and operational presence in Liberia—an initiative that aligns with RCBank’s vision to transform itself into a leading financial player across the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region.
A Bold and Deliberate Step
“This is not a vacation,” stated Dr. Gilpin. “We are here to assess future operations and affirm that Sierra Leone is ready to emerge as a key player in sub-regional finance.”
The weeklong visit will include in-depth market research, engagement with key Liberian financial and regulatory stakeholders, and networking with potential partners. The team will use the findings to inform strategic decisions on regional expansion.
Positioning for Regional Competitiveness
The Liberia mission highlights how far RCBank has come in innovation and digital transformation. Beyond enhancing profit margins and asset growth, the move aims to elevate Sierra Leone’s visibility and competitiveness in the regional banking landscape.
Strategic Momentum from Past Partnerships
Today, the bank can boast of having forged partnerships with institutions like Standard Chartered Bank – USA, Ghana International Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa (New York), Aktif Bank (Turkey) and the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS). RCB was among the first banks in Sierra Leone to adopt and integrate PAPSS, a system designed to streamline cross-border payments in local currencies within Africa.