By Emma Black
His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio has reappointed Dr. Walton Ekundayo Gilpin as the Managing Director of Rokel Commercial Bank (RCB), reaffirming the President’s continued confidence in Dr. Gilpin’s leadership and strategic vision for Sierra Leone’s banking sector.
On 11th July 2025 this presidential reappointment, formally conveyed through a letter signed by Secretary to the President Mr. Barba Fortune, underscores the merit-based nature of such key appointments. It reflects Dr. Gilpin’s proven track record of performance and his transformational role in the country’s financial services landscape.
In response to the news, Dr. Gilpin expressed profound gratitude to God and extended heartfelt thanks to President Bio for entrusting him once again with the responsibility to lead RCB. He pledged to continue building on the strong foundation of growth, innovation, and service delivery.
Since assuming leadership at RCB, Dr. Gilpin has overseen significant milestones. Under his stewardship, the bank became the first commercial bank in Sierra Leone to meet and exceed the Central Bank’s recapitalization requirement, moving from Le91 billion to Le271 billion in operating capital. This was achieved in less than a year, far ahead of the three-year target given to all commercial banks in the country.
Dr. Gilpin’s vision for RCB has also led to extensive restructuring and expansion. The bank now operates 18 branches and 9 service outlets across Sierra Leone, supported by a growing network of ATMs and innovative financial products designed to enhance accessibility and customer satisfaction.
This growth aligns with the government’s broader financial inclusion agenda, which aims to make formal banking services more accessible to communities throughout the nation.
Additionally, Dr. Gilpin is leading RCB into the international arena, with plans underway to establish a branch in neighboring Liberia. This move is part of a broader strategy to position RCB as a sub-regional financial player within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Recent investments in digital banking and infrastructure have strengthened the bank’s capacity to expand and serve new markets efficiently.
President Bio’s decision to renew Dr. Gilpin’s mandate as Managing Director reflects recognition of his exceptional leadership, innovative reforms, and commitment to financial inclusion. The reappointment sets the stage for continued transformation at RCB and greater contributions to Sierra Leone’s economic development.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday,14th July, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
