Reliable Bank for UK Limited Company in Mali, Kenya, Guinea, and South Africa

[0cca]

I am seeking a reliable bank for my UK Limited company to facilitate business transactions in Mali, Kenya, Guinea, and South Africa. I require a bank that offers straightforward account opening procedures for international operations.

If you have any recommendations or personal experiences with banks that meet these requirements, I would greatly appreciate your insights. Please share any relevant information or suggest reliable banking institutions with a strong presence in these countries.

 

[Sols]

When it comes to banking in Africa, you can approach it in different ways. One is to run around in each country trying to find a bank that will accept you, keep you, and offer the payments and currencies you need. Another is to approach larger international banks that have experience in Africa. Banks without experience in Africa often think of the whole region as high-risk, either refusing transactions or imposing lots of controls and fees.

Standard Bank, Standard Chartered, Zenith, UBA, and Ecobank tend to be the most welcoming to non-resident foreigners. Absa might be an option if you approach them in Mauritius first.

Nedbank and FirstRand can work but better if you start in South Africa and work your way north across Africa, rather than snow up with a UK company.

Ecobank and UBA has a presence in all four of the territories you mentioned.