Zenith Named Africa, Nigeria’s Best Bank At 2026 Euromoney Awards

Zenith Bank Plc has won two top honours at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2026, taking both “Africa’s Best Bank” and “Nigeria’s Best Bank.”

The bank said the awards were presented on 16 July at The Peninsula London Hotel. Euromoney’s annual awards assess banks on strategy, profitability, risk management, digital transformation and stakeholder impact, and are widely followed in the global financial sector.

The 2026 awards drew a record number of submissions — more than 770 entries from international and regional institutions — making the competition broader than in previous years. Entrants included large global banks and regional players, underscoring the awards’ international reach. Euromoney’s judging process evaluates quantitative measures such as financial performance and risk metrics alongside qualitative factors, including strategic clarity and contribution to local markets.

In its submission and accompanying materials, Zenith highlighted recent financial results and technology investments. For the 2025 financial year, the bank reported gross earnings of N4.19 trillion, up six per cent year-on-year, and profit after tax of N1.04 trillion. The bank also reported a reduction in its non-performing loan ratio from 4.7 per cent to 3.8 per cent. In line with its dividend policy, the institution declared a total dividend of N10.00 per share for 2025, an increase from N5.00 per share in 2024.

The bank has been expanding its footprint across Africa and scaling its transaction and trade banking services to connect clients across markets on the continent. It has also signalled heightened spending on digital banking infrastructure, artificial intelligence and other technology initiatives intended to support customer service and operational efficiency. Those strategic priorities were among the factors Euromoney cited when announcing the awards.

Commenting on the awards, the group managing director/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc, Dr Adaora Umeoji, said, “We are deeply honoured by these recognitions from Euromoney. Being recognised as Africa’s Best Bank and Nigeria’s Best Bank reflects the trust of our customers, the dedication of our unicorn workforce, and our unwavering commitment to building a truly African global financial institution.

These awards inspire us to do even more to deliver superior value, drive financial inclusion, and support the growth of businesses across Africa.”

The GMD commended the regulators across the various jurisdictions where the Bank has a footprint for the enabling regulatory environment that has supported the Bank in achieving this feat.

She dedicated the award to the founder of Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia, thanking him for his vision and excellence, which have been instrumental to the Bank’s success.

Zenith Bank has continued to deliver strong financial results while accelerating investments in technology, artificial intelligence, and digital banking solutions. In the 2025 financial year, the Bank grew gross earnings by six per cent year on year to ₦4.19 trillion and delivered profit after tax of ₦1.04 trillion, while reducing its non-performing loan ratio from 4.7 per cent to 3.8 per cent. In keeping with its dividend policy, Zenith Bank rewarded its investors with a record-breaking total dividend of N10.00 per share (totalling N410.69 billion) for the 2025 financial year. This represents a 100% increase over N5.00 per share paid in 2024. The Bank has also deepened its pan-African presence and expanded trade and transaction banking capabilities to connect businesses across key markets.

Euromoney is the leading authority for global banking and financial markets, and this latest recognition adds to Zenith Bank’s growing list of local and international accolades and further cements its position as one of Africa’s leading financial institutions.

The Bank’s track record of excellent performance has continued to earn the brand numerous awards, including being recognised as the Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital for the seventeenth consecutive year in the 2026 Top 1000 World Banks Ranking, published by The Banker and “Nigeria’s Best Bank” at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025. The Bank was also awarded Bank of the Year (Nigeria) in The Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards for 2020, 2022, and 2024; Best Bank in Nigeria from 2020 to 2022, 2024 and 2025, in the Global Finance World’s Best Banks Awards; Best Bank for Digital Solutions in Nigeria in the Euromoney Awards 2023; and was listed in the World Finance Top 100 Global Companies in 2023.

Further recognitions include Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria, for six consecutive years from 2021 to 2026 in the World Finance Banking Awards, and Most Sustainable Bank, Nigeria, in the International Banker 2023, 2024, and 2026 Banking Awards. Additionally, Zenith Bank has been acknowledged as the Best Corporate Governance Bank, Nigeria, in the World Finance Corporate Governance Awards for five consecutive years from 2022 to 2026 and ‘Best in Corporate Governance’ Financial Services’ Africa for four consecutive years from 2020 to 2023 by the Ethical Boardroom.

The Bank’s commitment to excellence led to Zenith being also named the Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria in The Banker’s Top 500 Banking Brands for 2020 and 2021, Bank of the Year 2023 to 2025 at the BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards, and Retail Bank of the Year for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022 and 2024 to 2025. The Bank also received accolades for Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria, and Best Innovation in Retail Banking, Nigeria, at the International Banker 2022 Banking Awards; Bank of the Year 2024 by ThisDay Newspaper; Bank of the Year 2024 by New Telegraph Newspaper; and Best in MSME Trade Finance, 2023, by Nairametrics. The Bank’s Hybrid Offer was also adjudged ‘Rights Issue/Public Offer of the Year’ at the Nairametrics Capital Market Choice Awards 2025.

Zenith Bank has also earned several non-financial awards, including Most Responsible Organisation in Africa, Best Company in Transparency and Reporting and Best Company in Gender Equality and Women Empowerment at the SERAS CSR Awards Africa 2024.