Standard Bank Group plans $6 billion corporate banking revenue growth by 2028

Standard Bank Group, Africa’s largest lender, led by CEO Sim Tshabalala, is betting on Africa’s growing infrastructure, trade, and energy sectors. The Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed lender’s corporate and investment banking (CIB) division expects revenue to rise from $4.38 billion in 2025 to $5.88 billion by 2028, capturing opportunities left by retreating European banks.

Africa’s largest lender by total assets, with approximately R3.62 trillion ($212.48 billion) in assets as of 2025 is aggressively expanding across Africa to capture opportunities from rising capital flows, growing infrastructure demand, and the retreat of European banks. 

Infrastructure and energy financing opportunities
Luvuyo Masinda, CIB division chief, said the division’s revenue is projected to rise from R74.4 billion ($4.38 billion) in 2025 to R100 billion ($5.88 billion) by 2028. The strategy set to reinforce Standard Bank’s strategy to lead Africa’s fast-growing financial markets while modernizing technology, payments, and AI capabilities will also positions the lender to fill the vacuum left by retreating European lenders and capture opportunities from rising African capital flows.

With Africa needing $130–170 billion annually in energy and roughly $170 billion in infrastructure, Standard Bank is positioning itself to lead financing and advisory services, focusing on East and West Africa.

Technology, AI, and payments expansion
Arno Daehnke, the bank’s CFO, added that expansion will include organic growth and acquisitions in markets where Standard Bank is not yet a top-three lender. Egypt, where the bank recently established operations, is a priority.

Digital banking modernization, AI, and payments are central to growth. Investments in cloud-based systems, digital commerce platforms, and AI-driven risk management aim to reduce costs and improve client experience.

Standard Bank expects non-South Africa operations to contribute roughly 45% of group earnings by 2028, up from 40% in 2025. Tshabalala’s three-year plan aims for annual headline earnings growth of 8–12% and a return on equity of 18–22% through 2028.

Expanding Beyond South Africa
Operations outside South Africa are projected to contribute 45% of group earnings by 2028, highlighting the continent’s central role in revenue growth and capital allocation.

Standard Bank’s $6 billion CIB target reflects disciplined execution, strategic investment, and Africa-focused growth. The bank’s leadership in corporate lending, infrastructure financing, and digital banking positions it for long-term market dominance.