Banking
Top stories
South Africa’s Nedbank Group reported a modest 2% increase in headline earnings for the full year 2025, reaching $1.07 billion (R17.2 billion), as improved credit quality helped offset subdued revenue growth amid ongoing economic challenges in the country.
Kenya’s competition regulator has fined GT Bank $257,209 for misleading credit terms and backdated interest charges in a corporate lending dispute.
Bank of Zambia records show the minimum paid-up capital requirement was first introduced in January 2012, giving the British bank a 14-year window to reach compliance.
The historic transaction attracted bids exceeding $619 million from more than 30 institutional investors, underscoring strong demand for instruments designed to shield banks and taxpayers during periods of financial stress.
Nigeria’s fintech ecosystem is one of Africa’s most vibrant, with its nucleus positioned in Lagos. According to the 2024 annual data released by the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS)…
S&P Global expects Moroccan banks to step up lending to corporate borrowers in 2026 as large-scale infrastructure spending, pro-business reforms and steady economic growth create a more supportive operating backdrop.
Nigeria’s digital lending boom is widening credit access and fuelling growth, but weak regulation, high defaults and tax gaps threaten fiscal stability across Africa’s fintech surge.
Absa maintains that while the country’s recent financial market reforms are encouraging, it will only consider entry once the rules are less restrictive.
Banks in Egypt and Nigeria are likely to see profits drop in 2026 as central banks accelerate interest rate cuts following a sharp slowdown in inflation and increasingly favorable macroeconomic conditions, S&P Global said in its latest Africa banking outlook.
South Africa has joined Afreximbank, completing the lender’s continental membership and strengthening its institutional standing as it faces rating pressure and tighter global funding conditions.
First HoldCo’s earnings per share collapsed in 2025 after heavy loan-loss provisions and divestment losses wiped out profits, even as interest income hit record levels.
January’s disbursements, which includes a record $500 million auction, represents 82% of the $780 million sold throughout 2025, highlighting a significant acceleration in the scale of market operations.
The move comes days after Afreximbank announced it had severed ties with Fitch, citing concerns that the agency’s methodology failed to reflect the bank’s legal mandate, treaty protections, and unique role in financing African trade and development.
The European Union has lifted its high-risk designation for six African countries, after years in which the listing reshaped how capital moved in and out of their economies.
South Africa’s Nedbank Group has submitted a strategic investment proposal and notice of intention to acquire a controlling stake in NCBA Group PLC, signalling a significant push into East Africa’s banking market.
After decades of protectionism, Ethiopia’s banking reforms are translating into higher profits, faster digital expansion and growing foreign interest, even as inflation, credit concentration and competition risks persist.
Africa’s largest lenders spent over $537m on acquisitions in 2025, led by South African banks, even as recapitalisation rules and uneven profits reshaped expansion plans today…
With the AfDB providing full guarantee on non-payment risk, Equity Bank can lower the cost of issuing letters of credit and expand trade finance volumes without adding pressure to its balance sheet.
The figure reflects the combined value of 10 FX auctions held by the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) between February and the second week of December 2025, aimed at deepening liquidity and strengthening the Birr
The CBN pointed out that both mortgage lenders were critically undercapitalised and had insufficient assets to cover their liabilities, pointing to a weak solvency position.