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Zenith Bank clinches the continent’s highest banking honour, emerging Africa’s Best Bank, while retaining the Nigeria’s Best Bank title for the second consecutive year at the prestigious Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2026.
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The lender outperformed more than 770 entries from leading global financial institutions, including HSBC, Morgan Stanley, Citibank, Barclays, Standard Bank, and DBS Bank, to secure the coveted dual honours.
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Zenith Bank posted another stellar financial performance, recording ₦4.19 trillion in gross earnings, ₦1.04 trillion profit after tax, improved asset quality, and a record ₦410.69 billion dividend payout to shareholders.
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GMD/CEO Dame Adaora Umeoji says the awards reflect customers’ trust, employees’ dedication, and the bank’s commitment to innovation, financial inclusion, and building a globally competitive African financial institution
July 23 , (THEWILL) — Zenith Bank Plc has reinforced its status as one of Africa’s leading financial institutions after defeating some of the world’s biggest banking brands to emerge Africa’s Best Bank and Nigeria’s Best Bank at the prestigious Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2026.
The dual honours, presented at The Peninsula London Hotel on July 16, 2026, represent the highest continental and national banking recognitions conferred by Euromoney. The victory also marks Zenith Bank’s second consecutive win as Nigeria’s Best Bank, underscoring its sustained dominance in the country’s financial services sector.
The annual Euromoney Awards for Excellence are regarded as one of the most respected benchmarks in global banking, with institutions assessed on financial performance, profitability, strategy, risk management, innovation, digital transformation, governance, and impact on customers and stakeholders.
This year’s edition attracted more than 770 entries from leading international financial institutions, including HSBC, Morgan Stanley, Citibank, Barclays, Standard Bank, and DBS Bank of Singapore, making Zenith Bank’s double triumph one of the most significant achievements by an African lender in recent years.
According to Euromoney, Zenith Bank distinguished itself through strong financial performance, consistent profitability, customer-focused banking services, technological innovation, and its growing contribution to economic development across Nigeria and the African continent.
The awards also acknowledged the bank’s continued investments in digital banking platforms, artificial intelligence, and trade finance solutions that have strengthened cross-border business transactions and financial inclusion across its markets.
Umeoji Hails Customers, Staff, and Founder
Reacting to the awards, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank Plc, Dame Dr Adaora Umeoji, described the recognition as a reflection of the confidence reposed in the bank by its customers and the dedication of its workforce.
“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,” she said.
She added that the awards would inspire the bank to continue delivering superior value to customers, deepen financial inclusion, and support businesses across Africa.
Umeoji also praised financial regulators in the various jurisdictions where Zenith Bank operates for providing an enabling regulatory environment that has supported the bank’s growth and resilience.
She dedicated the awards to the Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia, CFR, acknowledging his vision, leadership, and unwavering commitment to excellence as the foundation of the institution’s remarkable success.
Strong Financial Performance
The Euromoney recognition comes on the heels of another impressive financial year for Zenith Bank.
For the 2025 financial year, the bank reported gross earnings of ₦4.19 trillion, representing a six per cent increase year-on-year, while profit after tax climbed to ₦1.04 trillion.
Its balance sheet also reflected stronger asset quality, with the non-performing loan ratio improving from 4.7 per cent to 3.8 per cent, highlighting effective risk management and prudent lending practices.
The bank further rewarded shareholders with a record dividend of ₦10.00 per share, amounting to ₦410.69 billion, representing a 100 per cent increase over the ₦5.00 per share dividend paid for the 2024 financial year.
Industry observers say the results underscore Zenith Bank’s resilience despite a challenging macroeconomic environment characterised by exchange rate volatility, inflationary pressures, and tighter monetary conditions.
Expanding Across Africa
Beyond its financial performance, Zenith Bank has continued to strengthen its pan-African footprint through expanded trade and transaction banking services designed to facilitate commerce across key African markets.
The lender has also accelerated investments in digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence-driven banking solutions aimed at improving customer experience, operational efficiency, and financial inclusion.
These strategic initiatives have positioned the bank among Africa’s most technologically advanced financial institutions while enhancing its competitiveness on the global stage.
Long List of International Awards
The latest Euromoney recognition adds to Zenith Bank’s growing portfolio of local and international awards. Earlier this year, the bank was ranked Nigeria’s Number One Bank by Tier-1 Capital for the 17th consecutive year in The Banker’s Top 1000 World Banks Ranking 2026.
It also retained Nigeria’s Best Bank title at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025 and has previously won Bank of the Year (Nigeria) in The Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards in 2020, 2022, and 2024.
Other honours include Best Bank in Nigeria in the Global Finance World’s Best Banks Awards across multiple years, Best Bank for Digital Solutions in Nigeria at the Euromoney Awards 2023, and inclusion among the World Finance Top 100 Global Companies.
Zenith Bank has equally maintained its leadership in sustainability and corporate governance, winning Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria for six consecutive years in the World Finance Banking Awards, Most Sustainable Bank, Nigeria in the International Banker Awards, and Best Corporate Governance Bank, Nigeria for five straight years.
Beyond banking, the institution has also been recognised for its corporate social responsibility, transparency, and diversity initiatives, earning honours such as 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.
With its latest double victory at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2026, Zenith Bank has further cemented its reputation as one of Africa’s most successful, innovative, and resilient financial institutions, reinforcing its ambition to remain a leading force in shaping the future of banking on the continent.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
