Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO), has injected ₦365.85 billion ($236 million) into GTBank, its commercial bank subsidiary, to help meet Nigeria’s Central Bank capital requirements. The fresh capital allows GTBank to maintain its international licence and expand lending, grow its branch network, and improve its technology infrastructure.
In March 2024, the CBN turned up the heat on lenders. It ordered banks to raise fresh capital to cushion the effects of the naira’s devaluation and persistent inflation. The new rule set a minimum capital base of ₦500 billion ($325 million) for international banks like GTBank, or risk losing their licences.
GTBank’s parent company, GTCO, has cleared the bar. The group raised ₦504 billion ($327 million) after issuing nearly 7 billion new shares. Its recapitalisation rolled out in two phases: a domestic public offering in 2024, and a $105 million London Stock Exchange listing this year. The proceeds allowed GTCO to buy into GTBank’s rights issue, pushing its capital above the CBN threshold.
GTCO isn’t alone. At least eight other Nigerian banks have already met the CBN’s recapitalisation target ahead of the March 2026 deadline. Those that fall short may have to merge or face licence downgrades. The CBN says it’s all part of its broader goal to build a “more resilient banking system.”
