A Nigerian multinational commercial bank, recently expanded into Kenya through acquisition.
What the new CBN marketing regulations mean for financial institutions
In 2018, Nigerian banks engaged in humorous exchanges on social media, known as #BankWars, to compete for customer attention. The CBN issued a circular on November 27, 2025, prohibiting comparative advertising and chance-based promotions among financial institutions.
Zenith confirms Kenyan expansion, says acquisition awaiting regulatory approval
Zenith Bank confirms its entry into Kenya is pending final regulatory approvals. The bank is in advanced talks to acquire Paramount Bank Ltd, a mid-tier lender.
Kenya’s Central Bank, the guard dog that won’t bite
The Central Bank of Kenya has cut the central bank rate from 13% to 9.5% since October 2024. Commercial banks have only reduced their lending rates from 17.2% to 15.2%, which is insufficient for small businesses.
Seven African banks supporting startups and SMEs
Standard Bank acquired Firepay in December 2016, showcasing traditional banks' entry into the fintech boom. Equity Bank partnered with Mastercard to launch e-commerce payment solutions for SMEs in Kenya.
Your Naira card can now pay for ChatGPT, Netflix, YouTube
Nigerian banks, including Access Bank and GTBank, are now allowing international transactions on Naira debit cards after a three-year block. Customers can now pay for services like ChatGPT, Netflix, and YouTube without needing virtual dollar cards.
