Meet the man behind Firstrust Savings and Loans – Dr Nii Kotei Dzani

From his days at Barclays through to Canal Capital, Dr. Dzani has acquired a rich and enviable experience in strategic innovation, business strategy and marketing; branding and human resource management.

He has in depth expertise in SME advisory service, asset management, development and financing of projects. He has carried out extensive research on microfinance and commercial banking.

Dr. Dzani is an accomplished individual, a motivated self-starter and excellent negotiator with the credibility to engage and influence business at all levels.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana and an Honorary Doctorate from Oral Roberts University, Oklahoma, USA.

He also holds an MBA in Corporate Governance & Finance from University of Hull, United Kingdom.

He is currently undertaking a professional law degree.

Dr Dzani completed his university education with a desire to establish a finance company.

After working a while with Barclays Bank and Canal Capital, He decided in 2009 to set up a consultancy firm to advise banks and other financial institutions on financial models and risk management. Ideal Finance was subsequently established in 2010 offering money lending services and has grown to become a finance house.

With a startup capital of GHc27,000 Dr. Dzani has successfully steered the affairs of Ideal Finance and within 5 years, now have total assets of over GHc500 million.

In 2014, under his able leadership Ideal Financial Holdings acquired a majority share ownership of Ezi Savings and loans, injected capital and rebranded it FirsTrust Savings and loans, saving the jobs of over 200 Ghanaians, their livelihood and also enhancing confidence in the financial sector.

Out of Ideal Finance he’s been able to set up eight (8) subsidiaries within 5 years

i) Ideal Capital Partners, an Investment and Equity Firm

ii) Firstrust Savings & Loans

iii) Ideal Trade, a commodity and trading firm

iv) Westfield Offshore Consult, an offshore mining firm and consultancy services

v) Ideal Asset Solutions, an asset management firm

vi) Ideal Insurance Brokers, an Insurance brokerage firm

vii) Ideal Financial Holdings, Management Consultancy Firm

viii) Ideal Pension trust, a pensions trust firm

Dr. Dzani was voted Emerging Man of the year 2014 by VIASAT1 Television.

He has recently been voted the Banking & Finance Enterpreneur of the year 2015 by Enterprise Foundation Ghana.

Dr. Dzani through his foundation, Tsatse Foundation has undertaken many social interventions and CSR activites including Educational scholarships for needy and brilliant students, support for Otumfuo Educational Foundation, Support for major health institutions in Ghana, support for strategic state institutions like Ghana Police Service, 37 Military hospital, sponsorship of corporate events and many more.

The foundation regularly supports various orphanage homes across the country regularly during Christmas as well as Easter festivities.