Nigeria’s biggest lender by market value, plans to acquire a Kenyan lender as part of its expansion on the continent. The Lagos-based lender already has offices in 10 countries outside Nigeria including Kenya. It wants to increase the contribution of African subsidiaries to the bank’s income to about 30% of profit before tax in the next three years from 15.3% in 2020.
Banks in Africa’s most populous country are expanding on the continent and diversifying outside their core operations as they seek to grow after the coronavirus pandemic and two economic contractions in four years shuttered businesses and limited lending opportunities at home. Guaranty Trust is expecting the approval by regulators of a move to transition into a financial holding company in the second half, which will enable it start payments and asset management units. It targets 10% growth in the loan book this year and pre-tax profit of 243 billion naira from 238.1 billion naira.