The 2025 ranking of Africa’s top 20 banks by Tier 1 capital reaffirms the dominance of South Africa’s Standard Bank Group and other established institutions, while also highlighting the exceptional profitability and growing clout of Nigerian banks.
1. Standard Bank Group – South Africa
2. National Bank of Egypt – Egypt
3. Attijariwafa Bank – Morocco
4. FirstRand – South Africa
5. Absa Bank – South Africa
6. Banque Centrale Populaire – Morocco
7. Banque Misr – Egypt
8. Nedbank – South Africa
9. Banque Extérieure d’Algérie – Algeria
10. Banque Nationale d’Algérie – Algeria
11. Bank of Africa – BMCE Group – Morocco
12. Investec Bank – South Africa
13. Arab African International Bank – Egypt
14. Access Bank – Nigeria
15. Crédit Populaire d’Algérie – Algeria
16. Zenith Bank – Nigeria
17. Commercial International Bank (CIB) – Nigeria
18. Equity Bank Group – Kenya
19. FBN Holdings (First Bank of Nigeria) – Nigeria
20. United Bank for Africa (UBA) – Nigeria
Analysis: Africa’s top banks in 2025 reflect regional strength and rising profitability
The 2025 ranking of Africa’s top 20 banks by Tier 1 capital underscores South Africa’s continued financial dominance, with Standard Bank Group maintaining the number one position at $13.17 billion in capital, $3.01 billion in assets, and $2.02 billion in profit, achieving a solid 20% return on equity (ROE). Other South African heavyweights — FirstRand, Absa Bank, Nedbank, and Investec Bank — remain firmly within the top twelve, reinforcing the country’s status as Africa’s most stable banking hub.
North African institutions also displayed remarkable resilience. Egypt’s National Bank of Egypt ranked second with $7.17 billion in capital and a high 31% ROE, while Banque Misr delivered an even stronger 41% ROE. Morocco’s Attijariwafa Bank and Banque Centrale Populaire maintained leading positions, alongside Algeria’s Banque Extérieure d’Algérie and Banque Nationale d’Algérie, reflecting the region’s state-backed banking power.
Nigeria’s private banks, meanwhile, dominated in profitability. Zenith Bank posted a 34% ROE, and Commercial International Bank (CIB) achieved an exceptional 57% ROE, among the highest in Africa. Access Bank, FBN Holdings, and United Bank for Africa (UBA) also featured strongly. Equity Bank Group of Kenya, the sole East African entrant, continued its impressive rise with a 20% ROE, signaling East Africa’s growing financial maturity.
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