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Boosting Global Trade with Stanbic IBTC
Trade is crucial to bridging economic gaps and boosting infrastructural development. Countries with international solid trade portfolios tend to grow faster, innovate more and provide higher incomes and economic opportunities for their citizens.
Beyond integration into the global economy through trade and global value chains that help drive economic growth, open trade also benefits low-income households by giving consumers the opportunity of accessing affordable goods and services.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the continuous growth of global economies with disruptions in credit supplies, restriction of access to credit, and detrimental health challenges. Gross Domestic Product in Africa contracted by two per cent, while over 30 million people on the continent became impoverished.
The pandemic also impacted Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) with increased calls for investment and funding, especially in the financing of vaccines, to stem the rise of the pandemic. Furthermore, the MDBs were forced to become more agile while fostering deeper connections amongst clients across the continent. These were some of the issues discussed at the 2021 Global Trade Review.
The Global Trade Review is an annual event where global experts in the trade and commerce industries discuss international trade as it affects the economies of each continent and country and seeks solutions to manoeuvre challenges that may be presented.
Last year’s COVID-19 pandemic affected virtually every sector of the global economy. Speaking as a panellist in the 2021 Global Trade Review with the theme “Mobilising Development Finance: A necessity for Africa’s economic resurgence”, Jesuseun Fatoyinbo, Head, Trade at Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC, said that financial service providers, as part of the global community, were also affected by the pandemic.
Jesuseun highlighted the financial institution’s role in partnering with various businesses to boost trade and commerce in terms of economic recovery. According to him, Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC established administrative support for its network of clients, which included reaching out to them frequently to understand their business concerns and guide Stanbic IBTC in providing support. The financial institution offered financial support to small and medium scale enterprises affected by the pandemic.
Stanbic IBTC’s unique intra-African trade solutions enabled settlements of international transactions while mitigating payment risks on the continental stage.
As global trade resumes fully, the need for cross-border payments remain imperative as Africa remains a significant trade partner with China; thus, the significance of Stanbic IBTC’s Africa China Trade Solutions Import (ACTS Import), a solution tailored at providing top-notch financial solutions to African importers who transact with China. The solution provides exclusive access to an accredited trade agent responsible for connecting African businesses to an array of suppliers across China. The appointed agent provides access to over 10,000 Chinese suppliers and assesses suppliers to ensure their products meet global standards.
ACTS Import offers a broad ecosystem of services, solutions, and support, which equip African businesses to leverage trade and growth opportunities and ultimately drive Africa’s economic growth. This support enables African importers to have sufficient lead time to procure their goods before making payment. It also helps to ease the cash flow of African importers by providing access to financing while also empowering the importers to have end-to-end visibility of the entire importation and logistic process.
In the global economy, no country is self-sufficient as there are inter-dependencies with other countries at different levels of trade. Integration into the global economy has proven to be a powerful tool for countries to promote economic growth, development, and reduce poverty. Stanbic IBTC also engaged in strategic partnerships with other multilateral and regional organisations such as the African Development Bank, African Export-Import Bank, ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development and Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) in the facilitation and implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) agreement to the benefits of its clients. Furthermore, it has continued to provide financial guarantees and solutions to small and medium scale enterprises on the continent, accounting for more than 80 per cent of the continent’s economic space.
Similarly, through the Stanbic IBTC Trade Club solution, there is access to unlimited opportunities for business owners to meet and trade with suppliers anywhere in the world. The Stanbic IBTC Trade Club solution provides business financing solutions to entrepreneurs who need funds to carry out their domestic or cross-border trade activities. It also offers exposure for business owners to meet and trade with suppliers anywhere in the world, giving them the needed exposure for their businesses to thrive. The solution identifies with businesses, empowering them with the required trade tools and expertise and linking them with new global trade partnerships they can trust while nurturing their growth through good human relationships.
The Stanbic IBTC Trade Club provides entrepreneurs with the relevant tips and the right tools to build their businesses. It also provides valuable information regarding business models, accounting, marketing, and legal aspects that enable businesses to achieve set goals.
With Stanbic IBTC’s unique financial offerings, Africa remains on the part of the economic resurgence that will eventually enable the continent to compete with other world economies.
Zenith Bank Plc is set to launch the maiden edition of its Girl-Child Empowerment Programme, an initiative aimed at inspiring young girls to dream boldly, develop the skills and confidence to pursue their aspirations, and prepare for meaningful opportunities in the future.
The event, themed “Banking On Her Tomorrow,” is the brainchild of the Bank’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, the first female GMD/CEO in Zenith Bank’s history and a strong advocate for girl-child education and empowerment. The event will be held virtually on Monday, October 12, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., a day after the International Day of the Girl Child, observed globally on October 11.
The programme, which will feature an impressive lineup of distinguished experts in various fields, seeks to provide girls with the inspiration, knowledge and practical perspectives needed to navigate their education and careers, while exposing them to opportunities in skills development, mentorship and leadership. As an annual platform, it will encourage girls to recognise their potential, broaden their aspirations and equip themselves to make informed choices about their future.
The initiative builds on Zenith Bank’s longstanding commitment to women and girls, demonstrated through programmes and platforms including the Bank’s annual International Women’s Day Seminar, its sole sponsorship of the Zenith Women’s Basketball League, the Women of Honour Awards in partnership with the Ford Foundation, and the Pad-a-Queen Initiative. These complement the Bank’s women-focused financial solutions, including the Z-Woman initiative, an empowerment programme that supports women-owned and women-led businesses through specialised funding, capacity building and networking. Together, these initiatives reflect the Bank’s broader commitment to supporting women and girls at different stages of their lives, and to contributing meaningfully to national development.
This maiden edition is open to all, with girls, parents, educators and other members of the public invited to participate. Interested participants can register via the link below. Those unable to join via Zoom can follow the live stream on Zenith Bank’s social media platforms.
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GTCO Plc Releases 2026 Half Year Audited Results …….. Reports Profit Before Tax of ₦603.03billion,Pays Interim Dividend of ₦1
Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (“GTCO” or the “Group”) has released its Audited Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements for the period ended June 30, 2026, to the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) and London Stock Exchange (LSE).
The Group posted a profit before tax of ₦603.03 billion, driven by strong performance recorded on the interest and trading income lines, which grew y-o-y by 7.5% and 24.7%, respectively. The strong earningsrecorded was moderated by a ₦46.2 billion fair value loss recognized in H1–2026, limiting y-o-y growth in PBT to 0.4%.
The Group grew across its asset lines, reinforcing a balance sheet that is well structured, liquid and diversified. This growth was recorded in each jurisdiction where we operate a banking franchise, and across our Payments, Pension and Funds Management businesses.”
Group’s Total assets and shareholders’ funds closed at ₦18.6trillion and ₦3.3trillion, respectively. Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) remained very strong, closing at 34.9% (Bank 29.2%), and asset quality improved as evidenced by IFRS 9 Stage 3 Loans which closed at 3.5% and 4.6% % at both Bank and Group Level in H1-2026 (Bank -3.4%, Group 5.0% in FY-2025). Cost of Risk (COR) improved to 0.6% from 2.2% during the same period.
The Group’s Loan book (net) grew marginally by 0.5% from ₦3.13trillion as of December 2025 to ₦3.15trillion in June 2026, converse for improved performance on Deposit liabilities which grew by 10.3% from ₦12.87trillion to ₦14.19trillion during the same period.
Commenting on the results, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO Plc), Mr. Segun Agbaje, said; “Our half year results speak to the strength of what we have built: a resilient franchise, a strong balance sheet and a business that no longer depends on banking alone. Fair value movements weighed on reported earnings, but the core business held firm. Interest and trading income grew, deposits strengthened, and asset quality improved at Group level. The priority now is to execute with discipline and grow responsibly. Digital is our lever for scaling across Banking, Payments, Pension and Funds Management, and for building a more diversified and resilient financial services group.”
Overall, the Group continues to post one of the best metrics in the Nigerian Financial Services Industry in terms of key financial ratios i.e., Pre-Tax Return on Equity (ROAE) of 35.9%, Pre-Tax Return on Assets (ROAA) of 6.6%, Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) of 34.9% (Bank: 29.2%) and Cost to Income ratio of 31.5%.
GTCO Plc is a leading financial services group with operations across Africa and the United Kingdom. Renowned for its strong corporate governance, innovative financial solutions, and customer-centric approach, the Group provides a wide range of banking and non-banking services including payments, funds management, and pension fund administration. The Group is committed to delivering long-term value to stakeholders while driving growth and development across its markets
The road to the 2026 Zenith Bank NBBF Women’s Basketball League title reaches its defining stage as the nation’s top eight teams converge on the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, from September 28 to October 3, 2026, for the highly anticipated national Finals.
Emerging from fiercely contested Atlantic and Savannah Conference campaigns, Nigeria Customs, AS Sky Queens, Titans, Air Warriors, MFM, First Bank, Victoria Queens,and Bayelsa Blue Whales have earned their place in the final battle for national honours.
And there is plenty to look forward to.
Last year’s champions, Dolphins Basketball Club, who lifted the trophy after defeating First Bank in the final, will not be in the mix this year after failing to make the top 4 of the Atlantic Conference, leaving the title firmly up for grabs and setting the stage for a new champion to emerge.
But the trophy will be contested by teams with plenty of championship pedigree.
First Bank, last year’s finalist and the most successful team in the history of the competition, arrives with a record nine league titles, while MFM will be looking to draw on its recent dominance after winning back-to-back championships in 2023 and 2024. With both sides among the Final 8, history, experience and ambition will collide as the battle for the crown unfolds.
It is a level of competition that reflects the growth of a league that has, for more than two decades, provided a platform for Nigeria’s best female basketball talents to emerge, compete and develop. At the heart of that journey has been Zenith Bank, the sole sponsor of the National Women’s Basketball League since 2005.
Through its partnership with the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Zenith Bank has consistently supported the development of women’s basketball, helping to provide and sustain a competitive platform where talents can be discovered, nurtured and prepared for the highest levels of the sport.
The league has also served as an important pathway to theNational Women Basketball team, D’Tigress, with several players who have featured prominently for Nigeria emerging from the domestic competition. Beyond the national team, the league continues to contribute to youth development by giving young female athletes the opportunity to build confidence, skill, discipline, teamwork and professional sporting careers.
Now, the spotlight turns to Lagos. Which team will grab theopportunity to write a new chapter in the history of Nigerian women’s basketball?
Eight teams. One destination. One crown.
For Zenith Bank, the sponsorship of the Women’s Basketball League represents more than support for a sporting competition. It reflects the Bank’s broader commitment to creating platforms that provide opportunities, develop potential and make a meaningful difference in the lives of young Nigerians.
This commitment extends across several areas of community development, with notable initiatives including:
Through these initiatives and its longstanding support for women’s basketball, Zenith Bank continues to demonstrate that its commitment to society goes beyond banking, with a focus on creating opportunities and contributing to the development of communities and the next generation.
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