Africa Banking Sector Report 2025-2026

The African banking sector experienced a dynamic period over 2023 and 2024, shaped by global economic pressures and tight financial conditions, geopolitical instability, technological innovation, regulatory changes, and shifting consumer behaviours. Global economic pressures such as rising interest rates, driven by inflationary trends, had a mixed impact on African economies. While these rates increased borrowing costs for banks reliant on foreign funding, they also widened net interest margins for banks holding domestic savings. Currency depreciation across many African nations further increased the cost of servicing foreign-denominated debt for banks and borrowers alike. Persistent inflation, exacerbated by global supply chain disruptions and local climatic events, eroded consumer purchasing power and slowed credit growth. Geopolitical challenges, such as the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and the conflict in Gaza, disrupted global energy and food supply chains, leading to higher import costs for African economies and compounding inflationary pressures. Geopolitical instability also diverted international investment flows away from emerging markets, including Africa, as investors sought safer assets.

This report provides a complete and detailed analysis of the "Banking and insurance" sector for Africa and the Middle East. EMIS Insights presents in-depth business intelligence in a standard format across countries and regions, providing a balanced mix between analysis and data.

What this report allows you to do:

• Understand the key elements at play in the "Banking and insurance" sector in Africa and the Middle East
• Crystallise the forces both driving and restraining this sector in Africa and the Middle East
• Ascertain Africa and the Middle East’s position in the global sector
• Build a complete perspective on sector trade, investment and employment
• Understand the competitive landscape and who the major players are
• View M&A activity and major deals
• Gain an understanding of the regulatory environment for the sector in Africa and the Middle East.
• Build a clear picture of trends, output and consumption for specific sub-sectors