Zenith Bank Plc will open a new branch in Manchester, United Kingdom, in March 2026, expanding its international network to enhance financial services for businesses engaged in UK-Africa trade and investment.
The official opening ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, March 17, 2026, and is anticipated to draw Nigerian and UK government officials, regulators, investors, customers, and business leaders. The branch will operate alongside Zenith Bank’s existing London office, providing corporate banking, trade finance, and treasury services to clients across the UK, Europe, and Africa.
Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, stated the move aligns with the bank’s strategy to connect African markets with global opportunities. “Manchester is one of the United Kingdom’s most dynamic commercial centres, and our presence here will further strengthen financial connections between businesses in the UK and opportunities across Africa’s rapidly expanding markets,” she said.
Founded in 1990 by Chairman Jim Ovia, CFR, Zenith Bank has grown into a major African institution with a substantial capital base and consistent profitability. Headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, it operates over 500 branches nationwide and maintains subsidiaries in Ghana, Sierra Leone, Gambia, and Côte d’Ivoire, with additional offices in the UAE, France, and China.
Manchester’s diverse economic base in manufacturing, engineering, logistics, technology, and consumer goods makes it a strategic location. The branch will leverage the city’s international commercial activity and collaborate closely with the London office and the bank’s wider network to support cross-border expansion.
This expansion underscores Zenith Bank’s commitment to facilitating global trade involving Africa, reinforcing its position as a financial bridge between continents. The Manchester branch is expected to deepen the bank’s role in enabling investment and commercial flows between the UK and African markets.
