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Standard Bank targets Nigeria, four others for $15.4 billion SME market Emmanuel Azubuike Analyst 3 min read Standard Bank Group Ltd., Africa’s largest lender by assets, is targeting Nigeria and four other key African markets as it seeks to capture a share of a 250 billion-rand ($15.4 billion) revenue opportunity driven by growing intra-African trade and the expansion of small and medium-sized businesses across the continent. This was disclosed by Bill Blackie, Chief Executive Officer of Standard Bank’s Business and Commercial Banking (BCB) division, during an interview with Bloomberg, where he outlined the lender’s strategy to accelerate earnings growth through 2028. As part of the plan, the bank will focus on strengthening its position in South Africa while expanding across Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, markets that collectively account for about 85% of the estimated 250 billion-rand revenue pool available to its business and commercial banking operations. Blackie said the division has delivered strong financial performance over the last five years, supported by growing demand for banking services among businesses across the continent. According to him, the …

Standard Bank Eyes Nigeria, Four Key Markets in $15.4bn African SME ... Sign in Welcome! Log into your account Forgot your password? Get help Privacy Policy Password recovery Recover your password A password will be e-mailed to you. Business Standard Bank Eyes Nigeria, Four Key Markets in $15.4bn African SME Growth... Business Standard Bank Eyes Nigeria, Four Key Markets in $15.4bn African SME Growth Drive By: Ogochukwu Onwaeze THEWILL Date: June 18, 2026 June 18 (THEWILL) — Standard Bank Group, Africa’s largest lender by assets, is intensifying its focus on Nigeria and four other strategic African markets as it seeks to tap into an estimated 250 billion rand ($15.4 billion) revenue opportunity driven by expanding intra-African trade and the rapid growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The bank’s Business and Commercial Banking (BCB) division identified Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania as priority growth markets alongside its home base of South Africa. Together, these countries account for about 85 percent of the estimated revenue pool available to the division. Speaking in an interview with Bloomberg, Bill Blackie, Chief Executive Officer of Standard Bank…

Standard Bank eyes expansion in Nigeria and Angola amid strategic ... Sign in Welcome! Log into your account Forgot your password? Get help Password recovery Recover your password A password will be e-mailed to you. Home Business Standard Bank eyes expansion in Nigeria and Angola amid strategic growth push Business August 15, 2024 Standard Bank eyes expansion in Nigeria and Angola amid strategic growth push By Editor Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Standard Bank Group Standard Bank, Africa’s largest lender by assets, is poised to increase its stakes in its Angolan and Nigerian operations as part of a broader strategy to capitalize on growth opportunities across the continent, according to CEO Sim Tshabalala. In Angola, the government plans to divest up to 34% of its stake in Standard Bank de Angola SA through an initial public offering (IPO). This move follows the government’s seizure of a 49% stake previously held by a former insurance magnate, now serving a nine-year prison sentence. Standard Bank Group, headquartered in South Africa, currently owns the remaining 51% and holds the right to acquire an additional 24% of the Angolan subsidiary. “We are actively involved i…

Standard Bank Targets $15 Billion Trade Finance Opportunity as African ... Business Africa Standard Bank Targets $15 Billion Trade Finance Opportunity as African Commerce Expands Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp 1 Matthew Freeman June 18, 2026 Standard Bank Group is positioning itself to capture a $15 billion trade finance opportunity as intra-African commerce accelerates and businesses increasingly seek funding to support cross-border expansion. Africa’s largest lender by assets said growing trade flows, infrastructure investments, and industrial development across the continent are creating significant demand for banking solutions, particularly under the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to create the world’s largest free-trade zone by participating countries. The South African banking giant expects rising economic integration to unlock substantial financing needs across key sectors including manufacturing, logistics, agriculture, energy, and infrastructure. Speaking to investors, Standard Bank highlighted trade finance as one of its most important growth areas, noting that Africa continues to face a significant trade-finance gap …

Standard Bank targets R250bn market fuelled by African trade 18 Jun Standard Bank Group is stepping up its quest for more business clients in Africa. A surge in intra-continental trade and growth of mid-sized companies has created a R250 billion revenue pool for the region’s biggest lender to tap. Its business and commercial banking (BCB) unit aims to be the main financier for firms operating across Africa’s fastest-growing economies, part of a greater ambition to speed up earnings increases through 2028, Bill Blackie, the division’s chief executive officer, said in an interview. It will target its home base of South Africa – currently the biggest regional banking market – and cascade it to Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, where about “85% of the R250 billion BCB revenue pool is,” he said. Small- and medium-sized enterprises, or SMEs, make up almost 95% of all active businesses on the continent and generate as much as 40% of its gross domestic product, which has resulted in increased overtures by lenders seeking to tap emerging opportunities, a report by African Banker found. Further, 83% of African banks plan major investments into SME services by 2025, more than …

Standard Bank delivers record earnings as Africa strategy pays off This article was produced with the support of Standard Bank Group Standard Bank Group reported headline earnings of R49.2bn for 2025, delivering a return on equity (ROE) of 19.3%, at the top end of the group’s target range of 17% to 20%. The result reflects strong performance across the banking businesses, supported by solid balance sheet growth and robust expansion in fees and trading revenues. Credit impairment charges declined year on year as the macroeconomic environment improved, while cost management remained disciplined. Insurance and Asset Management also continued to deliver strong earnings growth and improved returns. Headline earnings per share rose 12% to 3,026 cents. The group declared a final dividend of 878 cents per share, bringing the total dividend for the year to 1,695 cents, also up 12%. Tangible net asset value per share increased 7% to 15,687 cents. Sim Tshabalala, Standard Bank Group chief executive, said the results marked the culmination of a strategy launched in 2021. “2025 marked a significant milestone as we achieved or surpassed the ambitious financial targets we set in 2021, validating…

Standard Bank targets $15.4bn expansion in Nigeria, African SME markets News Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Standard Bank Group Limited has announced plans to increase investments in mid-sized companies across Africa as it seeks to tap into opportunities in Nigeria and other key markets on the continent with $15.4 billion. The bank aims to support the growth of intra-continental African businesses, leveraging its strong presence across the region and accelerating its earnings through 2028, according to Bloomberg. The African biggest lender said it will focus on strengthening its operations in South Africa, and expand its operations across Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania markets who collectively account for about 85 per cent of its estimated $15.4 billion revenue. Standard Bank said the strong performance by its business and commercial banking operations over the last five years, was driven by growing demand for banking services among businesses across Africa. The bank said the unit doubled its earnings and return on capital since 2020 and sustained growth of its markets in the continent at the same time. “From 2020 to 2025, we have doubled headline earnings, and do…

Standard Bank targets $15.4bn expansion in Nigeria, African SME markets <img width="800" height="450" src="https://i0.wp.com/media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2022/01/1641844441217blob.png?fit=800%2C450&amp;ssl=1" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Standard Chartered Bank" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2022/01/1641844441217blob.png?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2022/01/1641844441217blob.png?resize=526%2C296&amp;ssl=1 526w, https://i0.wp.com/media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2022/01/1641844441217blob.png?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2022/01/1641844441217blob.png?resize=750%2C422&amp;ssl=1 750w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><p>The bank said the unit doubled its earnings and return on capital since 2020 and sustained growth of its markets in the continent at the same time.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.premiumtimesng.com/business/business-news/888665-standard-bank-targets-15-…