Access Bank Botswana’s latest financial results present a business navigating a difficult operating environment while simultaneously investing in the infrastructure, people and technology required for its next phase of growth.
The bank’s unaudited consolidated results for the six months ended June 30, 2026 show a reported profit before tax of P34 million, down 43 percent from the corresponding period last year. The decline points to weaker profitability. However, the underlying numbers tell a more nuanced story.
The sharpest drag came from P48 million in once-off voluntary separation costs. Excluding this expense, profit before tax rose 37 percent to P82 million, pointing to considerably stronger underlying operating performance.
Access Bank Botswana says revenue growth, diversified income streams and disciplined cost management supported the underlying result.
One of the strongest indicators was the performance of non-interest income, with trading revenue increasing by 114 percent. The growth suggests that the bank is gradually broadening its earnings base beyond traditional interest-driven banking activities.
In the statement, Sheperd Aisam, Access Bank Botswana Managing Director highlighted, “our purpose extends beyond banking, as we continue to empower our customers and help them achieve their ambitions at every stage of their journey. Looking ahead, several strategic initiatives launched during the period are expected to strengthen performance in the second half of the year. Chief among these is the implementation of AccessMore, our new digital banking platform that will replace the current SaruMoney retail application.”
At the same time, credit performance showed signs of improvement, with net impairment charges declining to P36 million, from P43 million in June 2025. The bank attributes the reduction to strengthened credit-risk management, disciplined underwriting and proactive engagement with customers. The balance sheet also provides an important signal, with customer deposits showing an increase by 3 percent since December 2025 and 12 percent year-on-year, despite a challenging economic environment. The sustained growth points to continued momentum in customer relationships and provides the bank with a stronger funding base from which to pursue future expansion.
However, the results also underline the cost of transformation,as operating expenses increased by 21 percent, largely because of the voluntary separation programme. While the P48 million charge affected short-term profitability, management describes the programme as a strategic investment aimed at positioning the organisation for greater efficiency.
During the period, Access Bank Botswana began implementing AccessMore, its new digital banking platform, which will replace the SaruMoney retail application.
In the statement, Sheperd Aisam, Access Bank Botswana Managing Director highlighted, “our purpose extends beyond banking, as we continue to empower our customers and help them achieve their ambitions at every stage of their journey. Looking ahead, several strategic initiatives launched during the period are expected to strengthen performance in the second half of the year. Chief among these is the implementation of AccessMore, our new digital banking platform that will replace the current SaruMoney retail application.”
The move reflects a broader shift in the competitive banking landscape, where digital capability is increasingly tied to customer experience, operating efficiency and revenue growth.
The bank is also operating against a challenging domestic backdrop, with Botswana’s recovery still influenced by weakness in the diamond sector and subdued external demand. Its results therefore suggest a business attempting to build resilience beyond traditional sources of income while maintaining funding and credit discipline.
