African banking mergers and acquisitions are shifting away from mere balance-sheet growth toward a strategic acquisition of capabilities. A new report by Deals & Advisory identifies a trend where regional lenders, particularly from Nigeria and South Africa, prioritize controlling stakes in platforms that offer established digital infrastructure, payment solutions, and customer networks. This ‘platform-plus-bolt-on’ model, utilized by firms like Access Holdings and Zenith Bank, allows banks to bypass the lengthy process of organic expansion by acquiring ready-made, licensed operations and layering on specialized technological services. As international lenders continue to divest from African retail operations, this structural consolidation is expected to accelerate, driven by rising capital requirements and the competitive necessity for integrated digital franchises.