Manny Ita –
Zenith Bank Plc is intensifying its growth strategy through simultaneous capital raising and regional expansion, positioning itself to meet tougher regulatory requirements at home while deepening its footprint across West and Central Africa.
The lender disclosed plans to invest about “$231 million” in expanding operations within the sub-region, with a focus on acquiring assets in Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon. The move is aimed at strengthening its reach in the francophone market and consolidating regional dominance at a time when Nigerian banks are seeking diversification beyond their domestic base.
In parallel, Zenith Bank is finalising a major recapitalisation programme to comply with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s new “10-fold minimum capital requirements,” which must be met by “March 31, 2026.” The exercise places the bank among lenders racing to shore up capital buffers amid tighter regulatory oversight and rising balance-sheet demands.
Financially, the group reported resilience through 2025, recording a “16% growth in gross earnings” to approximately “₦3.4 trillion” by late in the year. However, market analysts have cautioned that earnings momentum may moderate in 2026 as interest rates begin to ease across key markets, including Nigeria and Egypt, potentially compressing margins despite higher volumes.
The twin pressures of regulatory compliance and regional expansion are expected to shape Zenith Bank’s strategic and financial trajectory over the next two years, as investors weigh near-term profitability against longer-term growth prospects.
