Standard Chartered reported a US$5 million loss in 2025 following the sale of its Cameroonian subsidiary, according to its annual report released on February 24, 2026. Despite the accounting hit, the transaction was a strategic step toward lowering the bank’s overall risk exposure and streamlining its African operations.
The divestment of Standard Chartered Cameroon, completed on December 5, 2025, transferred the subsidiary to Access Bank, one of Nigeria’s largest banks. While the sale resulted in a loss of approximately CFA2.8 billion at current exchange rates, it significantly improved the bank’s balance sheet risk profile. Within Standard Chartered’s Corporate and Investment Banking segment, risk-weighted assets fell by $300 million, equivalent to around CFA167 billion, reflecting the reduced credit exposure tied to the Cameroonian market.
Risk-weighted assets (RWAs) are a key measure of the credit risk a bank assumes, adjusted for potential losses, and determine the capital a bank must hold to protect against defaults. The reduction in RWAs highlights that Standard Chartered’s Cameroonian portfolio carried relatively high credit risk, and its exit allows the bank to focus resources on markets where it has a stronger competitive position and lower operational risk.
The move is part of a broader strategic refocus initiated by Standard Chartered in 2022, which involves exiting seven markets across Africa and the Middle East. The strategy is aimed at improving operational efficiency, reducing complexity, and concentrating on regions where the bank can maximize impact. “In 2022, Standard Chartered announced its strategic decision to divest its operations in seven markets in Africa and the Middle East to enhance efficiency, reduce complexity and focus on markets where we can have the greatest impact,” said Kariuki Ngari, chief executive of Standard Chartered Bank Kenya & Africa. “Today, Standard Chartered Cameroon has officially transferred to Access Bank, and we have worked closely together to complete this acquisition.”
For Access Bank, the acquisition strengthens its presence in Cameroon’s corporate banking and large-company segments. The Nigerian bank, which serves more than 22,000 customers including corporates, individuals, and traders, operates five branches in Douala and Yaoundé. Integrating Standard Chartered’s assets is expected to enhance Access Bank’s service offerings to larger clients, while leveraging the British bank’s established corporate banking expertise in the market.
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Financial analysts view the deal as a strategic win for both sides. Standard Chartered reduces exposure to a market perceived to have elevated credit risk, allowing it to optimize its capital allocation and focus on core markets. Meanwhile, Access Bank gains immediate scale in Cameroon, consolidating its footprint in one of Central Africa’s largest economies. The acquisition also reinforces regional banking consolidation trends, where larger African banks expand into neighboring countries through selective acquisitions rather than organic growth.
Standard Chartered’s exit from Cameroon underscores the bank’s ongoing efforts to balance profitability with risk management in emerging markets. The 2025 annual report highlights the bank’s commitment to focusing on markets with strong growth potential and lower operational complexity, aligning with its long-term strategy to drive sustainable returns.
The sale also illustrates how global banks are navigating challenging credit environments in specific African markets. By divesting higher-risk portfolios and redeploying capital toward more strategic regions, Standard Chartered aims to strengthen its financial resilience while maintaining a selective presence in Africa and the Middle East.
Looking forward, Standard Chartered will continue to invest in core markets and expand offerings in areas such as corporate banking, wealth management, and transaction services, while maintaining vigilance over market risks and operational exposures. For Access Bank, the integration of Standard Chartered Cameroon marks a step toward becoming a regional powerhouse, offering enhanced corporate and retail banking solutions in Central Africa.
