The numbers behind the banks: Ghana’s 2025 financial story

By Abubakar Mohammed LAWAL

Ghana’s banking sector in 2025 tells a story of recovery, resilience, and renewed strength. After a difficult period marked by economic uncertainty, the numbers now point in a different direction, one of rising profits, improving efficiency, and stronger balance sheets. Industry-wide profits surged to about GH¢15 billion, with banks recording significant growth in earnings and better returns on both assets and equity.

But beyond the headline figures lies a deeper story. Which banks attracted the most deposits? Who took the lead in lending? Which institutions managed costs efficiently while still delivering strong profits? And perhaps most importantly, how safe are the loans driving this growth?
This analysis breaks down the numbers behind the banks, focusing on market share, profitability, efficiency and returns to shareholders, to reveal what really defined Ghana’s banking performance in 2025.

Market share analysis

The 2025 figures show a highly concentrated banking market, with a few large banks controlling a major share of customer deposits and loans. Based on the banks included in the table, total customer deposits stood at about GH¢295.3 billion, while total loans and advances reached about GH¢85.2 billion. Banks such as GCB Bank, Ecobank, Stanbic, Zenith, and Absa dominated the deposit market, with GCB Bank alone holding about 13.9% of total deposits. Ecobank followed with about 10.3%, while Stanbic and Zenith also maintained strong deposit positions. Together, the top five deposit banks accounted for about 45.9% of total deposits in the table.

On the lending side, GCB Bank again led the market, accounting for about 18.8% of total loans and advances. Ecobank followed with 15.3%, while Absa, Stanbic and GTCO also ranked among the top lenders. This shows that the largest banks were not only attracting deposits but were also the main drivers of credit creation in the industry. The top five lenders accounted for about 63.3% of total loans and advances, showing that credit activity was even more concentrated than deposit mobilization. This suggests that the biggest banks continued to dominate both funding and lending in 2025, reinforcing their central role in the banking sector.

Profitability and efficiency
The sector delivered strong financial results in 2025, with net interest income of GH¢28.65 billion and profit before tax of GH¢21.87 billion. These results highlight resilience despite challenges such as elevated non-performing loans and competitive pressures. They also reflect early gains from digital transformation, including the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Generative AI.
GCB Bank PLC recorded the highest profit before tax at GH¢3.16 billion, followed by Ecobank Ghana PLC (GH¢2.98 billion), Absa Bank Ghana Ltd (GH¢2.74 billion), Stanbic Bank Ghana Limited (GH¢2.61 billion), and Guaranty Trust Bank Ghana Ltd (GH¢1.56 billion). Collectively, these banks generated over 40% of total industry profit.
Efficiency performance varied. United Bank for Africa Ghana Ltd led with a cost-to-income ratio of 25.71%, closely followed by Guaranty Trust Bank Ghana Ltd (25.97%). Zenith Bank Ghana Limited (36.27%), Absa Bank Ghana Ltd (37.47%), and Stanbic Bank Ghana Limited (40.41%) also demonstrated strong cost control.
In contrast, some banks continue to face operational challenges. Consolidated Bank Ghana Limited recorded a ratio of 98.81%, while First Bank Ghana Ltd posted 87.16%, reflecting significant cost pressures.

Returns to shareholders fund
Shareholders’ returns in Ghana’s banking sector remained strong in 2025. Several banks delivered excellent performance across both Return on Assets and Return on Equity, showing they used their resources and capital very effectively to generate profits.
Absa Bank Ghana Ltd led the sector in Return on Assets, while OmniBsic Bank Ghana Ltd led Return on Equity. Banks such as Guaranty Trust Bank, Absa, Stanbic, and Zenith stood out by performing well on both measures.
This strong shareholder value creation is closely linked to operational efficiency and the early adoption of Artificial Intelligence and Generative AI. As highlighted in the PwC Ghana Banking Survey, banks using these technologies are already seeing better results in cost control, fraud reduction, and customer service; all of which flow through to higher returns for shareholders.
Overall, the 2025 results confirm that disciplined management and smart technology investment are the main drivers of superior returns to shareholders in Ghana’s banking industry.

Conclusion
Ghana’s banking sector posted a solid recovery in 2025, supported by strong aggregate performance. Total assets reached GH¢406.34 billion, deposits GH¢295.25 billion, and loans GH¢85.18 billion, while profit before tax rose to GH¢21.87 billion, an increase of 43.5% year-on-year. Return on Assets improved to 5.7%.
The industry remains concentrated, with GCB Bank, Ecobank, Stanbic, Zenith, and Absa leading in deposits, lending, and profitability. At the same time, banks such as UBA, GTBank, and OmniBSIC demonstrate that efficiency and innovation can drive strong performance beyond the largest players.

AI adoption is emerging as a key differentiator. According to the PwC Ghana Banking Survey 2025, 68% of CEOs report some level of adoption, with measurable impact on revenue and profitability. Banks are increasingly deploying AI in credit risk modelling, fraud detection, compliance, and customer engagement.
However, asset quality remains a concern. The Non-Performing Loan ratio improved to 18.9% in 2025 but remains elevated. The Bank of Ghana’s target of reducing NPLs to 10% by 2026 will require stricter credit practices and enhanced risk management.
Looking ahead, easing macroeconomic conditions and improving credit demand present opportunities for sustainable growth. Banks that combine scale, efficiency, and innovation will be best positioned to lead the next phase of industry transformation.

Recommendations
To sustain the positive momentum recorded in 2025 and fully capitalize on the opportunities presented by digital transformation, Ghanaian banks must take decisive and strategic action. They should accelerate the responsible adoption of Generative AI, focusing on high-impact areas such as predictive credit risk modelling, real-time fraud detection, and personalized customer service. This will drive further cost reductions, enhance operational efficiency, and improve asset quality. At the same time, banks need to modernize their legacy systems by investing in flexible, cloud-based infrastructure that enables seamless AI integration and end-to-end automation. Strengthening risk management practices through AI-driven early-warning systems will also be essential to achieving the Bank of Ghana’s target of reducing the industry Non-Performing Loan ratio to 10% by the end of 2026.

Furthermore, institutions must prioritize staff training, change management, and the development of robust ethical AI governance frameworks to build internal capability and ensure full regulatory compliance. Finally, deeper collaboration with FinTech companies, the Ghana Association of Banks, and regulators will create a supportive ecosystem that fosters innovation and promotes inclusive growth across the sector.
Banks that act boldly and responsibly on these recommendations will be best positioned to lead Ghana’s banking industry into a more efficient, resilient, and technology-driven future

REFERENCES
Bank of Ghana. (2025). Monetary Policy Report and regulatory statements on NPL targets.
Bank of Ghana. (2026). Summary of Economic and Financial Data (January 2026).
Business and Financial Times. (2026). Financial statements published by commercial banks.
The names of these banks as at the end of March 2025 can be found at Bank of Ghana website. https://www.bog.gov.gh/supervision-regulation/registered-institutions/banks/
PwC Ghana Banking Survey. (2025). Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Generative AI (GenAI) in banking. PwC Ghana

Contact: 0542218169 or [email protected] and www.linkedin.com/in/abubakar-mohammed-lawal

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