Sonzele Community Bank works to meet BoG's GH₵5m capital requirement, declares 25.8% dividend

Sonzele Community Bank PLC launched an aggressive share mobilisation campaign to meet the Bank of Ghana's (BoG) new GH₵5 million minimum capital requirement by December 2026, while rewarding its shareholders with a 25.8% dividend payout for the 2025 financial year. The bank currently has a stated capital of GH₵2.28 million. Board Chairman Michael Zuraih stated, "The Bank of Ghana has recently issued a directive requiring all rural and community banks in the country to change their names to 'Community Banks' and to increase their minimum stated capital from GH₵1 million to GH₵5 million by 31 December 2026."

Mr. Zuraih revealed at the bank's 36th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Jirapa that total assets grew by 19.19% to GH₵84.3 million in 2025. Following a pre-tax profit of GH₵3.7 million in 2025, Sonzele Community Bank secured regulatory approval to reward its investors. The Board Chairman announced, "The Board is proposing a payment of GH₵0.258 per share for the year under review." Chief Executive Officer Abdul-Sallam Bamie emphasised that the rebranding from a "rural bank" to a "community bank" is a strategic move.