MCB Ltd Closes USD 100 Million Climate Financing Facility with Proparco, DEG, and FMO
Mauritius Commercial Bank secured a USD 100 million 10-year climate line led by Proparco with DEG and FMO to fund mitigation and adaptation projects across Africa.
South Africa's FirstRand Names Lytania Johnson FNB CEO Amid Restructuring
FirstRand has unveiled a major leadership shake-up, with Lytania Johnson succeeding Harry Kellan as FNB CEO from 1 April 2026, while creating new banking segments and appointing a group COO and CRO. The moves aim to boost agility and customer focus in a high-performing franchise.
East Africa's 4G Capital Raises $2M to Boost MSE Lending
Kenyan fintech 4G Capital has secured $2 million from GIF Growth to scale its touch-tech lending model in Kenya and Uganda, targeting women and youth entrepreneurs as it nears $1 billion in cumulative loans.
Ghana's rural banks begin transition to community banks under revised BoG framework
Rural banks in Ghana started moving into a new community bank category on 31 March 2026, with higher minimum capital and a year-end deadline for full compliance.
McKinsey says African banks earned 17% return on equity in 2025 as capital rules drive consolidation
A McKinsey report finds African banks' ROE eased from 19% to 17% as rates fell, while Nigeria's higher capital requirements are driving mergers such as Unity Bank and Providus Bank.
Afreximbank Closes Record $2 Billion Syndicated Loan Deal
Cairo-based Afreximbank has sealed its largest-ever syndicated loan, a $2 billion three-year dual tranche facility oversubscribed amid strong global demand. Proceeds will refinance debts and support corporate needs, signaling robust investor faith in Africa's trade financier.
South Africa's IFISA Set to Launch to Boost Infrastructure Funding
South Africa's new Infrastructure Finance and Implementation Support Agency (IFISA) begins operations on April 1, 2026, at the Development Bank of Southern Africa, aiming to streamline project preparation and mobilise financing for a R1.07 trillion, three-year public infrastructure programme.
Hamilton Labs Gets AXIAN Funding for Africa Stablecoin Push
US-based fintech Hamilton Labs, founded by Egyptian entrepreneurs, has secured undisclosed funding from AXIAN Investment to expand its USDh digital dollar stablecoin across Africa, offering yield-bearing dollar savings and payment tools.
Standard Bank handled more than R164trn in payments in 2025 as transaction numbers rose 9%
Africa's Standard Bank processed 2.3 billion payments last year, with growth in instant payments, merchant acquiring and cross-border rails including its CIPS link to China.
Clean Cooking Alliance, VCMI Launch Carbon Sandbox Guide in Nigeria
The Clean Cooking Alliance and VCMI released a global guide in Lagos to help regulators test carbon market innovations via sandboxes, balancing innovation with integrity. Supported by FSD Africa, it draws on clean cooking experience but applies across carbon market segments.
Nigeria's Banks Recapitalized But SMEs Still Starved of Capital
Despite a sweeping banking sector recapitalization, Nigeria's small and medium enterprises face an estimated N48 trillion financing gap, according to the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE).
IFC Teams Up With Cashi to Boost Chad Digital Payments
The International Finance Corporation has partnered with Sudan-founded fintech Cashi to expand digital payments in Chad, targeting underserved areas with low-connectivity solutions.