Access Bank Deepens African Footprint as It Completes Takeover of Standard Chartered’s Cameroon Operations
Access Bank Deepens African Footprint as It Completes Takeover of Standard Chartered’s Cameroon Operations
Access Bank Deepens African Footprint as It Completes Takeover of Standard Chartered’s Cameroon Operations
Access Bank has expanded its continental reach once again with the successful acquisition of Standard Chartered Bank’s operations in Cameroon, marking another bold step in its aggressive African growth strategy.
The development, confirmed on December 5, 2025, has sparked fresh conversations across the financial sector about Access Bank’s strategic dominance and what this latest move means for Nigeria’s banking landscape.
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Standard Chartered, one of the oldest international banks operating in Africa, has been on a steady retreat from several African markets. Cameroon becomes the latest country where the global bank has officially wound down its physical presence. Prior to this exit, Standard Chartered had already withdrawn from Angola, The Gambia, Tanzania, and Sierra Leone as part of a broader global restructuring plan aimed at simplifying operations and reducing costs.
The completion of the transition means Access Bank Cameroon now inherits Standard Chartered’s customers, employees, and established business structures. Both institutions have worked collaboratively over the years to ensure a seamless handover, covering everything from operational systems to staff movement.
For Access Bank, this acquisition reinforces its ambition to build a robust financial hub across Africa. The bank already has a notable presence in Sierra Leone, Rwanda, The Gambia, Congo, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zambia, Botswana, Guinea, Ghana, and Nigeria, as well as an established office in the United Kingdom. The addition of Cameroon strengthens its foothold in Central Africa, a region considered critical for trade, commerce, and cross-border financial services.
Standard Chartered says its latest exit aligns with its ongoing plan to streamline global operations and focus on higher-growth markets. Although it will no longer maintain offices in Cameroon, the bank noted it will continue to support international transactions flowing into the country.
On the other hand, Access Bank’s strategy appears clear and calculated — build scale, broaden reach, and position itself as Africa’s leading pan-continental financial institution. With this takeover, the bank is expected to explore deeper opportunities in the region’s banking sector, particularly as Central Africa continues to open up for investment and innovation.
Access Bank Deepens African Footprint as It Completes Takeover of Standard Chartered’s Cameroon Operations
