AFRICAN STOCKS AND FINANCENovember 18, 2024 at 3:58 PM UTC
TLDR
- Nedbank Group Ltd. aims to reduce dependence on the South African market by expanding across Africa.
- The bank plans to increase profit share from other African markets from 9.2% to nearly 40% in the next decade.
- Nedbank will focus on high-growth sectors like natural resources and renewable energy in markets such as Namibia, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe while leveraging its stake in Ecobank Transnational Inc. to expand in West Africa.
Nedbank Group, South Africa’s fourth-largest lender by assets, is embarking on a strategy to reduce dependence on its home market by expanding its footprint across Africa. With 12 billion rand ($662 million) in excess capital, the bank aims to increase the share of its profit from other African markets from the current 9.2% to nearly 40% within the next decade.
Nedbank’s pivot comes amid sluggish domestic growth, with South Africa’s economy projected to grow by just 1.1% in 2024, compared to Sub-Saharan Africa’s average forecast of 3.6%.
The bank plans to focus on high-growth sectors such as natural resources, renewable energy, and infrastructure finance across its existing markets, including Namibia, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. It will also leverage its 21% stake in Ecobank Transnational Inc. to expand in West Africa and explore new opportunities in Kenya.
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Key Takeaways
Nedbank’s shift reflects broader trends among South African banks seeking growth beyond their domestic market. By targeting sectors like green hydrogen in Namibia, LNG in Mozambique, and renewable energy in Kenya, Nedbank is positioning itself to capture a larger share of Africa’s high-growth opportunities. Despite challenges such as regulatory risks and currency volatility, the bank’s diversified focus on wealth management and women-led businesses could further solidify its competitive edge across the continent.
