United Bank for Africa ([UBA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Bank_for_Africa)) has moved up five spots to sit at 15th place in The African Banker’s 2026 list of Africa’s 100 largest banks, as Nigerian lenders collectively boosted their Tier 1 capital to $15.2 billion, up from $10.3 billion a year earlier.
Key figures from the ranking show UBA’s Tier 1 capital rose from $1.7 billion to $2.7 billion, propelling it to the 15th slot. Access Bank slipped from 14th to 17th despite growing its capital to $2.6 billion, while Zenith Bank fell four places to 20th after adding $600 million. Guaranty Trust Bank advanced from 30th to 25th as its capital increased to $1.77 billion, and Stanbic IBTC made the biggest jump among returning banks, leaping 35 places to 45th after its capital more than doubled to $735 million.
**What drove the stronger capital positions?**
The rise is largely attributed to recapitalisation reforms introduced by the [Central Bank of Nigeria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Bank_of_Nigeria). The CBN now requires commercial banks with international licences to hold at least ₦500 billion, compared with ₦200 billion for national banks and ₦50 billion for regional banks. These rules spurred rights issues, public offerings and other fund‑raising activities, enhancing banks’ risk‑absorption capacity and lending power.
**How are Nigerian banks expanding regionally?**
The ranking also reflects growing cross‑border ambitions. In May 2025, Access Bank completed the purchase of National Bank of Kenya from KCB Group, strengthening its footprint in East Africa and signalling a broader strategy to operate beyond Nigeria.
**Who leads the overall ranking?**
South Africa’s Standard Bank retained the top position, increasing its Tier 1 capital to $15.7 billion and reporting assets of $217.7 billion with a net profit of $3.4 billion. Egyptian banks posted a combined capital rise to $31 billion, highlighted by Commercial International Bank moving to 12th place after its capital grew to $3.13 billion. Moroccan banks remained well‑represented, with Attijariwafa Bank, Banque Centrale Populaire and Bank of Africa‑BMCE occupying three of the top‑10 slots.
**What challenges remain for Africa’s biggest banks?**
Despite stronger balance sheets, banks must deploy capital to finance infrastructure, support SMEs, deepen financial inclusion and boost cross‑border trade. The [African Development Bank](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_Development_Bank) estimates the continent’s unmet trade‑finance demand at $74 billion to $92 billion, underscoring the scale of opportunity for well‑capitalised lenders.