Access Bank Plc, through its wholly owned subsidiary Access Bank UK Limited, has finalized the acquisition of a 76% majority stake in AfrAsia Bank Limited, a Mauritius-based commercial bank renowned for bridging banking services between Africa, Asia, and global markets.
The transaction, which has received all regulatory approvals from the Bank of Mauritius and the Financial Services Commission, marks a major strategic expansion for Access Bank and is aimed at boosting customer service excellence and global connectivity.
“The Board of Directors of AfrAsia Bank Limited wishes to inform stakeholders that The Access Bank UK Limited has completed the acquisition of a 76% majority stake in the bank’s share capital,” a company statement confirmed.
Strengthening Global Operations and Strategic Confidence
AfrAsia Bank, headquartered in the Mauritius International Financial Centre, maintains a representative office in South Africa, serving clients across high-growth markets.
The bank will retain IBL Ltd, its founding shareholder, as a minority stakeholder with a 7.89% equity holding, reflecting continued investor confidence.
The acquisition adds AfrAsia’s platform to Access Bank UK’s existing international footprint in London, Dubai, Paris, Hong Kong, Malta, and Lagos, combining operational strength with proven customer service and financial governance.
The statement added that Access Bank UK Limited is built on a solid foundation of financial risk management and corporate governance with a strong balance sheet and excellent capital adequacy ratios.
“The Access Bank UK Limited will be supported by the Bank’s strong and dedicated team, whose proven track record and extensive ability in banking and investment which have contributed to making it one of the leading banking institutions in the region,”the statement said.
What You Should Know
- This deal marks Access Bank’s second international acquisition in one month, following its June takeover of Standard Chartered Tanzania’s Consumer, Private, and Business Banking division.
- The Tanzanian acquisition expands Access Bank’s reach in East Africa, reinforcing its mission to deliver inclusive, tech-driven financial services across the continent.
- These acquisitions align with Standard Chartered’s strategic restructuring, which includes recent exits from operations in Angola, Cameroon, The Gambia, and Sierra Leone, in order to bolster its global wealth management business.
These dual acquisitions in quick succession indicate a larger vision: positioning Access Bank as a pan-African powerhouse with global relevance, ready to meet the evolving demands of a digitally connected, investment-savvy customer base.
