How Standard Bank is redefining Africa’s SME banking future after Europe’s retreat

• European banks leave growing gaps in African banking.
• Standard Bank targets R250bn SME revenue opportunity.

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA — Standard Bank is moving aggressively to capture a vast opportunity emerging from the retreat of European lenders from sub-Saharan Africa, betting that the continent’s small and medium-sized enterprises will become one of banking’s most lucrative growth frontiers.