Access Bank has strengthened its hold across Africa once again, completing the takeover of Standard Chartered’s operations in Cameroon.Read Original.
This development has raised fresh conversations about the bank’s aggressive expansion strategy and what it means for Nigeria’s banking industry. Here is a clear breakdown of what is happening.
Standard Chartered is leaving more African markets
Standard Chartered has been quietly exiting several African countries as part of a global restructuring plan. Cameroon is the latest on that list. Before this, the bank had already pulled out of Angola, The Gambia, Tanzania and Sierra Leone.
The exit is part of its strategy to simplify operations, cut costs, and focus on bigger markets. According to the statement released on December 5, 2025, Standard Chartered confirmed the final handover of its Cameroon business to Access Bank Cameroon.
Access Bank steps in and takes full control
Access Bank has now taken over all of Standard Chartered’s operations in Cameroon. Both banks have been working together for years to ensure a smooth transition from systems and operations to staff movement.
The takeover gives Access Bank direct access to Standard Chartered’s customers, staff and existing business structures in Cameroon. For Access Bank, this is another major step in building a stronger presence in Central Africa.
The bank already has footprints in several African countries, including Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Gambia, Congo, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zambia, Botswana, Guinea, Ghana, and of course Nigeria. It also operates in the UK.
Why Standard Chartered left, and why Access Bank is expanding
Standard Chartered explained that leaving Cameroon aligns with its plan to reduce complexity and improve efficiency globally.
The bank says it will no longer maintain offices in the country but will still support international transactions going into Cameroon.
On Access Bank’s side, the strategy is simple: expand, dominate, and serve a wider African market. The acquisition opens fresh opportunities for growth, especially within central Africa’s banking sector.
What this means for customers
For customers in Cameroon, their accounts and services will now be managed by Access Bank Cameroon.
They also inherit Access Bank’s digital platforms, wider network and customer service structure.
For Access Bank, it means thousands of new customers added to its continental network.
This is a familiar pattern for Access Bank
This takeover is not new for Access Bank. Just six months earlier, it acquired Standard Chartered’s consumer, private and business banking unit in Tanzania.
That move boosted its digital and retail banking operations in East Africa. Cameroon is now the latest addition to that expansion drive.
Meanwhile, Zenith Bank denies takeover rumours
While Access Bank is acquiring banks across Africa, Zenith Bank recently denied reports claiming it planned to buy Paramount Bank in Kenya. Zenith clarified that no such deal exists, though it admitted it is actively looking at regional expansion in the long term.Read Original.