ETI was established in 1985 as a bank holding company, aiming to fill the gap in the banking industry in West Africa, which was dominated by foreign and state-owned banks. With the support of the Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), ETI raised seed capital and incorporated in 1985. It started operations in Togo in 1988 and currently operates in 35 African countries, making it a regional institution with the status of a non-resident financial institution.