Access Bank PLC has received final regulatory approvals to acquire the National Bank of Kenya (NBK), marking a significant step in its pan-African expansion strategy.​
The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) approved the acquisition on April 4, 2025, under Section 13(4) of the Banking Act. Subsequently, the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning granted approval on April 10, 2025, pursuant to Section 9 of the same Act .
Access Bank is set to acquire 100% of NBK’s issued share capital from KCB Group PLC, which has owned NBK since 2019 .​
This acquisition aligns with Access Bank’s strategy to strengthen its operations in East Africa, following previous expansions into countries like Tanzania and Zambia.​
The acquisition is still subject to approval by Nigerian regulatory authorities. Once finalized, it will further solidify Access Bank’s position as a leading pan-African financial institution.
