Ecobank Nigeria SWIFT Code: ECOCNGLA, ECOCNGLAXXX & International Transfer Guide
If you are looking for the Ecobank Nigeria SWIFT code for an international transfer, the bank’s eight-character BIC is ECOCNGLA. The 11-character head-office representation is ECOCNGLAXXX.
A SWIFT or BIC is used to identify the receiving bank during international financial transactions. It is different from an account number and different from a Nigerian domestic sort code.
Ecobank Nigeria SWIFT Code at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Bank | Ecobank Nigeria Limited |
| 8-character BIC | ECOCNGLA |
| 11-character head-office BIC | ECOCNGLAXXX |
| Country | Nigeria |
| Listed main location | Victoria Island, Lagos |
What Does ECOCNGLA Mean?
The eight-character BIC ECOCNGLA identifies Ecobank Nigeria Limited.
- ECOC — bank identifier.
- NG — Nigeria.
- LA — location identifier.
Adding XXX produces the commonly used 11-character head-office form, ECOCNGLAXXX.
Ecobank Nigeria Head Office SWIFT Code
The head-office BIC is commonly displayed as ECOCNGLAXXX. The associated main-office listing is in Victoria Island, Lagos.
If your sender’s bank only accepts eight-character BICs, ECOCNGLA is the eight-character form. If it specifically requests an 11-character BIC, use the exact form required by the receiving bank.
Does Ecobank Nigeria Have a SWIFT Code?
Yes. Ecobank Nigeria Limited is listed with the BIC ECOCNGLA. The code also appears in SWIFT’s participant information for Ecobank Nigeria Limited.
This is the bank’s identifier and should not be confused with SWIFT codes belonging to Ecobank entities in Ghana, Togo, Kenya or other countries.
How to Receive Money From Abroad Into Ecobank Nigeria
When someone sends money internationally to your Ecobank Nigeria account, the sender may need:
- Your full beneficiary name.
- Your Ecobank account number.
- Ecobank Nigeria Limited as the beneficiary bank.
- The appropriate SWIFT/BIC.
- The beneficiary bank address.
- Payment purpose or other regulatory information where required.
The exact fields depend on the sending institution and currency.
Why the Sender May Ask for a Correspondent Bank
International transfers sometimes pass through intermediary or correspondent banks. A correspondent bank may have its own SWIFT code.
That code is not necessarily the same as Ecobank Nigeria’s beneficiary-bank BIC. If the payment instructions specify both, enter each code in the correct field.
Ecobank Nigeria SWIFT Code for USD Transfers
The appropriate correspondent-bank arrangement for a USD payment can depend on the payment route. Therefore, the sender should not assume that the beneficiary bank’s SWIFT code is also the USD correspondent bank’s code.
The receiving beneficiary remains Ecobank Nigeria, while the intermediary may simply provide a route through which the payment reaches Nigeria.
SWIFT Code vs Sort Code
| Code | Purpose |
|---|---|
| ECOCNGLA | International bank identification. |
| Sort code | Domestic Nigerian bank and branch identification. |
| Account number | Customer account identification. |
Does Every Ecobank Branch Have Its Own SWIFT Code?
Not every physical bank branch necessarily has a separately used SWIFT code. An eight-character bank-level BIC can be used for international routing, while some institutions may have additional branch or service identifiers.
If the sender specifically requests an 11-character branch BIC, do not create one from the branch name. Confirm the appropriate identifier.
Common Ecobank Nigeria SWIFT Code Mistakes
- Using an Ecobank BIC from another African country.
- Typing ECOCNGLA incorrectly.
- Confusing a correspondent bank with Ecobank Nigeria.
- Using a domestic sort code in the SWIFT field.
- Entering an incorrect account number.
What Happens When a SWIFT Code Is Wrong?
A payment containing incorrect banking information can be delayed, rejected or returned. Additional investigation may also be required if the payment reaches an institution but cannot be matched correctly.
For this reason, international payment details should be checked before the transfer is submitted.
Can Ecobank Nigeria Receive International Payments?
The presence of an active SWIFT/BIC listing means the bank can be identified within international financial messaging. Whether a particular customer account can receive a particular currency or type of payment depends on the account and applicable banking requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ecobank Nigeria’s SWIFT code?
The eight-character BIC is ECOCNGLA.
What is the Ecobank Nigeria 11-character SWIFT code?
The head-office representation is ECOCNGLAXXX.
Is ECOCNGLA an Ecobank Nigeria code?
Yes. It identifies Ecobank Nigeria Limited in Nigeria.
Is ECOCNGLA the same as an Ecobank Ghana code?
No. Ecobank entities in different countries have different country components and BICs.
Can I use ECOCNGLA to receive money from abroad?
It is the bank-level BIC for Ecobank Nigeria. The sender should also provide the correct beneficiary account and follow any correspondent-bank instructions required for the transfer.
Final Takeaway
Ecobank Nigeria’s SWIFT/BIC is ECOCNGLA, while ECOCNGLAXXX represents the 11-character head-office form. Always distinguish the beneficiary bank’s BIC from any intermediary bank code included in an international transfer instruction.