Access Bank foreign investments are facing a major review as Access Holdings considers selling at least one of its overseas subsidiaries to comply with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) regulations on banks’ investments outside the country.
The development comes as Nigeria’s largest lender by assets works to reduce its exposure to foreign subsidiaries and bring its investment levels within the regulatory limits set by the apex bank. The group has reportedly identified an underperforming foreign business that could be sold as part of its compliance strategy.
Chairman of Access Holdings, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, disclosed that the group was considering exiting a subsidiary that was struggling to meet its financial and strategic expectations. He explained that businesses that fail to deliver sufficient returns or meet their intended objectives may need to be reconsidered.
The possible divestment highlights the growing pressure on Access Bank foreign investments as Nigerian banks adjust their international operations to meet stricter regulatory requirements.
The CBN introduced the investment restriction in June 2025, limiting Nigerian banks’ equity investments in foreign subsidiaries to no more than 10 per cent of their total shareholders’ funds. The policy is designed to ensure that banks maintain sufficient capital within Nigeria rather than committing excessive resources to overseas operations.
However, Access Bank foreign investments were reported to have reached 19.4 per cent of shareholders’ funds in May 2026, significantly above the 10 per cent regulatory ceiling. The bank was given 12 months to address the excess exposure and bring its investment ratio within the permitted limit.
To meet the requirement, Access Holdings is pursuing several measures aimed at reducing its foreign investment exposure without completely abandoning its international expansion strategy.
Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings, Innocent Ike, said the group was considering three major approaches. These include recalling surplus capital from selected foreign subsidiaries, selling minority shareholdings in some businesses and restructuring certain operations.
The group has already completed one capital recall and is engaging regulators in five countries to facilitate the return of excess funds to Nigeria. The process is expected to help reduce the amount of capital tied up in overseas operations.
These adjustments are central to the group’s efforts to bring Access Bank foreign investments within the CBN’s prescribed limit. Management is targeting compliance ahead of the March 2027 deadline, with an internal target of January 2027.
Access Holdings has built a significant international presence over the years, expanding into several African markets through acquisitions and investments. The group operates across approximately 24 countries and has acquired banking assets from institutions including Standard Chartered, Atlas Mara and KCB Group.
However, maintaining such a wide international network has also exposed some of its subsidiaries to operational costs, regulatory requirements and profitability challenges.
Its South African subsidiary has experienced persistent losses, while a proposed acquisition of Bidvest Bank did not materialise. In Mozambique, the bank’s operations struggled following the acquisition of African Banking Corporation before returning to profitability in 2025.
The Kenyan subsidiary has also faced difficulties, reporting a loss in the first half of 2026 while remaining below the country’s minimum core-capital requirement.
These challenges have increased the importance of reviewing Access Bank foreign investments and determining which overseas businesses can deliver sustainable returns.
The potential sale is not the first time Access Bank has withdrawn from an African market. In 2014, the lender sold its loss-making Ivory Coast subsidiary to Cameroon-based Afriland First Group after regulatory restrictions affected how Nigerian banks could support their foreign operations.
Despite the possibility of another exit, Access Holdings has maintained that its international portfolio remains strategically important. The group continues to see opportunities in cross-border payments, trade and financial services across African markets.
The current review therefore appears to be focused on improving the performance of individual subsidiaries while ensuring that Access Bank foreign investments comply with Nigeria’s banking regulations.
As the March 2027 deadline approaches, the group’s capital-recall programme, potential stake sales and possible subsidiary divestment will determine how quickly it can close the gap between its foreign investment exposure and the CBN’s 10 per cent limit.
The development places Access Bank’s foreign investments under increased scrutiny as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) tightens regulations on banks’ overseas exposure. The new requirements could influence Access Holdings’ international expansion plans and its approach to managing foreign subsidiaries.
Access Bank foreign investments are facing increased scrutiny as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) tightens regulations on overseas exposure. According to Nairametrics’ report on Access Holdings’ foreign investment strategy, the new requirements could push Access Holdings to reconsider its international operations, particularly its investments in foreign subsidiaries, as it works to comply with the regulator’s capital requirements ahead of the March 2027 deadline.