Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – Access Holdings Plc, one of Africa’s fastest-growing financial services groups, has completed its acquisition of Standard Chartered Bank’s operations in Angola and Sierra Leone—marking a major milestone in its strategic expansion across the continent, with The Gambia now firmly in its sights.

In a statement announcing the successful acquisitions, Roosevelt Ogbonna, the Managing Director and CEO of Access Bank Plc, highlighted the company’s ambition to grow its presence in key African markets.

“We are pleased to have successfully concluded two important acquisitions in Angola and Sierra Leone, affording us synergies to strengthen the quality of our earnings from both countries by significantly growing our share of the Corporate and SME banking in the two markets,” Ogbonna said.

He added that the acquisitions were part of Access Bank’s broader vision to become “the World’s Most Respected African Bank.”

Importantly for Gambians, Ogbonna confirmed that negotiations are progressing to acquire Standard Chartered Bank’s subsidiary in The Gambia, along with operations in Cameroon and the Consumer, Private, and Business Banking division in Tanzania.

The move signals Access Bank’s imminent takeover for <az into The Gambia’s financial sector, which could mark a turning point for competition, innovation, and access to banking services in the country. Industry observers say the acquisition could strengthen The Gambia’s corporate banking landscape while opening up new opportunities for SMEs and digital financial services.

Standard Chartered Bank has operated in The Gambia for over a century, and its transition to Access Bank is expected to be closely watched by regulators, customers, and competitors alike.

If concluded, the deal will solidify Access Bank’s footprint in West and Central Africa, enhancing its capacity to deliver pan-African banking solutions and creating a more competitive financial sector across the region.