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RC Bank MD Participates in GHIB Converge 2025 Conference in London
Dr. Walton Ekundayo Gilpin, Managing Director of Rokel Commercial Bank, recently joined global business leaders at the prestigious Ghana International Bank’s (GHIB) Converge 2025 Conference held in London.
The conference, aimed at promoting pan-African trade and strengthening economic partnerships, focused on rethinking commodity finance for a sustainable future. Dr. Gilpin, accompanied by the bank’s Head of Compliance, Jennifer Jonah, described the event as a vital platform for advancing Africa’s trade relations and deepening global economic ties.
He served as a panelist in a session titled “The Race for Critical Minerals in Africa,” where he discussed the continent’s vast resource potential and the importance of economic transformation. Dr. Gilpin emphasized Africa’s wealth in rare earth elements and platinum group metals—resources increasingly in demand due to growth in AI and electric vehicle industries.
However, he pointed out that Africa’s role in the global supply chain remains small due to limited processing and technological capacity. Using Sierra Leone’s rutile reserves as an example, he highlighted the need for investment in value-addition to avoid economic losses despite high global demand.
During the event, Dr. Gilpin also met with GHIB’s CEO, Dean Adansi, to discuss further collaboration between Rokel Commercial Bank and international partners.
One major highlight of the conference was GHIB’s announcement of a £50 million trade finance package in collaboration with British International Investment (BII), aimed at reducing financing barriers for African businesses. The initiative supports the UK’s new policy direction, which prioritizes mutually beneficial partnerships and simplified trade frameworks with African nations.
The GHIB Converge 2025 conference reaffirmed a collective commitment to driving economic growth in Africa through innovative finance, trade reforms, and stronger global cooperation.
