British banking group Standard Chartered released its 2025 annual report on February 24, 2026, detailing the financial consequences of its withdrawal from Cameroon [cite: ]. The sale of its local subsidiary resulted in an overall loss of $5 million in 2025, approximately FCFA 2.8 billion [cite: ].
Despite this loss, the operation has helped improve the group's risk profile. In the Corporate and Investment Banking segment, risk-weighted assets (RWAs) were reduced by $300 million in 2025, approximately FCFA 167 billion, due to the withdrawal from the Cameroonian market [cite: ]. RWAs measure the risk-adjusted volume of assets and determine the minimum level of capital that a bank must raise to cover its credit exposure. The decrease recorded in 2025 indicates a reduction in risk exposure, suggesting a relatively high level of credit risk in the Cameroonian market [cite: ].
Standard Chartered had announced the completion of the transfer of its Cameroonian subsidiary to Nigerian group Access Bank Plc on December 5, 2025 [cite: ]. This decision is part of a strategy initiated in 2022 to divest operations in seven markets in Africa and the Middle East in order to increase efficiency and reduce operational complexity [cite: ].
Kariuki Ngari, Managing Director and CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Kenya & Africa, stated, "In 2022, Standard Chartered announced its strategic decision to divest its operations in seven markets in Africa and the Middle East in order to improve our efficiency, reduce complexity, and serve our clients where we can have the greatest impact. Today, Standard Chartered Cameroon is officially transferred to Access Bank, and we have worked closely together to complete this acquisition".
With this acquisition, Access Bank is strengthening its presence in Cameroon. The bank stated that it serves more than 22,000 clients, including businesses, individuals and traders, through five branches located in Douala and Yaoundé. The integration of Standard Chartered's assets is expected to consolidate Access Bank's portfolio in corporate finance and services to large corporations, areas traditionally favored by the British group in Cameroon.
Anna Asonganyi, Managing Director of Standard Chartered Cameroon, stressed the importance of a smooth transition for employees and customers. She said she was confident that customers and employees would continue to benefit from the same level of service and support with Access Bank. Standard Chartered will continue to facilitate international capital flows to Cameroon.
