Zenith Bank to increase into Ivory Coast, different Francophone African international locations 

Zenith Bank Plc has disclosed plans to increase its operations into Côte d’Ivoire and eight different Francophone African international locations, following the profitable completion of a N614.65 billion hybrid capital increase.

The transfer marks a strategic push to deepen the bank’s footprint in Africa.

Talking on the closing gong ceremony on the Nigerian Alternate (NGX), Group Managing Director and CEO Adaora Umeoji mentioned the capital increase has positioned Zenith Bank for accelerated development and regional scale.

“Because the capital increase train, we’ve been in a position to make use of a part of the cash to increase our footprints. We began by opening our Paris department, and we’re going to transfer from there to Côte d’Ivoire, which we’re already processing the license,” Umeoji acknowledged. 

Enlargement into different Francophone African markets 

She added that the Côte d’Ivoire license would grant the bank passporting rights into eight further Francophone African markets, aligning with the bank’s technique to observe its prospects into high-growth economies.

“This growth technique is a results of us following our prospects’ enterprise and making certain that we go to international locations and economies the place we are able to scale and have the ability to present extra returns for our shareholders,” she defined. 

Zenith Bank’s hybrid capital increase was considerably oversubscribed, rising its capital base by 160% to N614.65 billion. Umeoji famous that the recapitalization has strengthened the bank’s stability sheet and broadened its shareholder base.

“This recapitalization train has actually helped us, positioned us, grown our enterprise, and it has made us have greater than 700,000 shareholders since we received listed,” she mentioned. 

What it’s best to know 

Zenith Bank reported strong monetary outcomes for the primary half of 2025, ending June 30. Pre-tax revenue stood at N625.63 billion, whereas post-tax revenue reached N532.18 billion. Gross earnings rose by 19.96% year-on-year to N2.521 trillion, pushed primarily by curiosity earnings.

• Curiosity earnings contributed 73% to gross earnings in H1 2025, up from 55% in the identical interval final yr. The bank recorded a 60% year-on-year development in curiosity earnings to N1.839 trillion — already surpassing 67% of its full-year 2024 curiosity earnings.
• In recognition of its sturdy efficiency, Zenith Bank’s Board authorised an interim dividend of N1.25 per share, a 25% improve from the N1.00 paid in H1 2024. The dividend hike underscores the bank’s dedication to delivering worth to shareholders amid its growth drive.