Standard Chartered Bank has restated its commitment to supporting sub-Saharan Africa’s economic development through increased trade finance, sustainability financing and infrastructure investment as the continent shows signs of macroeconomic resilience.

The pledge was reiterated during the just-concluded Africa Summit held in Lagos, where the bank also launched its Global Focus H2 2025 Report, highlighting a positive economic outlook across the region.

The report noted an emerging wave of stability and investor confidence in key African economies such as Nigeria and South Africa. According to the bank, Nigeria’s recent currency reforms and the removal of fuel subsidies are steps in the right direction, setting the stage for medium-term fiscal sustainability.

Likewise, South Africa is benefiting from credible monetary policies and a steady decline in inflation. In Ghana and Zambia, both frontier markets, signs of foreign exchange stability, disinflation and monetary easing are building optimism around future growth and debt sustainability.

Commenting on the findings, Managing Director and CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Kenya and Africa, Kariuki Ngari, said: “Africa’s economic potential is undeniable and its growing resilience is evident in the structural reforms we’re seeing across the continent. This is a critical moment to invest in the continent’s future, and we are ready to play our part.”

On Nigeria’s outlook, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited, Dalu Ajene, said the country is expected to witness an acceleration of fiscal reform in the second half of 2025.

“Our role as a bank is to provide the financing solutions that will leverage this momentum by supporting our clients in key economic sectors to double down on investment historically held back by complex economic factors,” Ajene said.

In its efforts to support Africa’s resilience, the bank said it financed infrastructure projects to the tune of $4 billion in the region last year.
These include a $455 million blended finance facility backed by the African Development Bank for Côte d’Ivoire, a $1.47 billion solar-powered electricity distribution project in Angola and a $1.46 billion term loan to support the construction of Tanzania’s Standard Gauge Railway, it said.

To enhance trade, the bank signed trade finance agreements worth $70 million with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and $100 million with British International Investment (BII), aimed at empowering local enterprises across the continent.