- Customers gain access to upgraded digital platforms starting today
By Costantine Muganyizi
Access Bank has officially completed the integration of Standard Chartered Bank’s consumer, private, and business banking (CPBB) operations in Tanzania, marking a major milestone in the bank’s pan-African growth strategy.
As of today, all of Standard Chartered’s former retail and SME clients are now served under the newly branded Access Bank Tanzania.
“This marks a significant milestone in our journey to deliver a more connected and robust banking experience,” said Imani John, Managing Director of Access Bank Tanzania. “We are excited to welcome new clients to Access Bank – a pan-African financial institution with a long-term commitment to Tanzania.”
This integration follows a wider regional transaction first announced on July 14, 2023, when Access Bank Plc and Standard Chartered Group entered into binding agreements. Under those deals, Access Bank would acquire Standard Chartered’s CPBB businesses in Tanzania, as well as its full subsidiaries in Angola, Cameroon, Gambia, and Sierra Leone.
The transaction aimed to streamline Standard Chartered’s global operations while allowing Access Bank to accelerate its retail banking expansion across Africa.
In Tanzania, the acquisition covered only Standard Chartered’s retail CPBB operations, which serve individual, private, and small-to-medium-sized business customers.
The bank’s Corporate, Commercial & Institutional Banking (CCIB) division was not part of the deal and continues to operate independently under the Standard Chartered brand.
The integration was structured to conclude within six to twelve months.
By June 10, 2024, Access Bank finalized its acquisition of BancABC Tanzania and simultaneously merged it with the acquired Standard Chartered CPBB business.
The result was the launch of Access Bank Tanzania Ltd, consolidating both acquisitions into a single retail-focused banking institution.
This transition ensures operational continuity for Standard Chartered’s corporate clients, while expanding Access Bank’s nationwide retail footprint. Customers across the country now benefit from a broader network and more comprehensive financial services tailored to their needs.
To support the transition, Access Bank conducted critical system upgrades over the weekend.
Starting today, customers can access Access Bank’s enhanced digital services.
The AccessMore mobile banking app – available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store – is designed for personal and retail users, enabling account management, money transfers, bill payments, and access to a wide range of services from anywhere.
For business and corporate clients, Primus Plus provides a secure and advanced online banking experience with tools for managing payroll, bulk transactions, payments, and real-time account monitoring.
This integration in Tanzania reflects Access Bank’s broader strategy to build a strong, unified presence across East Africa. With operations now spanning more than a dozen African markets, the bank continues to invest in digital infrastructure, financial inclusion, and cross-border banking solutions. Standard Chartered, meanwhile, remains active in Tanzania through its CCIB business, continuing to serve corporate and institutional clients with no disruption to services.
