Windhoek: Nedbank Namibia on Tuesday shared its financial results for the year ended 31 December 2025, with the group reporting R17.2 billion in headline earnings. A key highlight for local stakeholders was the performance of the Nedbank Africa Regions (NAR) division, which includes Namibia.According to Namibia Press Agency, the division saw a 7 per cent decrease in impairments, falling to R292 million. The group attributed this reduction to 'improved recoveries and lower impairments in Namibia driven by expected credit loss (ECL) adjustments.' The SADC region, where Namibia remains a primary contributor, recorded headline earnings of R672 million, marking a 15 per cent increase. This growth was supported by a 9 per cent rise in net interest income to R2.9 billion and a 17 per cent surge in average loans and advances, which reached R26 billion. The bank stated that this growth in loans was a result of corporate activity.Furthermore, non-interest revenue for the region grew by 5 per cent to R1.8 billion, fuelled by client activity in Lesotho and trading income in Mozambique. On the group level, headline earnings increased by 2 per cent to R17.2 billion. The group reported diluted headline earnings per share (HEPS) growth of 3 per cent, while the return on equity (ROE) stood at 15.4 per cent. The board declared a final dividend of 1 104 cents per share. According to the group, balance sheet metrics remained resilient, with a Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio of 12.9 per cent and a tier 1 capital ratio of 14.5 per cent.Nedbank Group Chief Executive Jason Quinn described the financial year was a period of restructuring. 'Well executed initiatives included the restructuring of our Retail and Business Banking (RBB) and Nedbank Wealth Clusters, the sale of the group's ETI shareholding, the acquisition of fintech innovator iKhoka, and, more recently, an offer to acquire a 66 per cent stake in NCBA Group,' Quinn said. Quinn also highlighted a shift in the bank's continental strategy. In December 2025, the group dis posed of its 21 per cent shareholding in ETI, marking a strategic 'reset' to focus more heavily on the SADC and East Africa regions.The group's client base reached eight million during the period, with a rapid shift toward digital banking. Within the Africa Regions, digitally active retail clients now represent 70 per cent of the total active base, while users of the Nedbank Money app grew by 14 per cent to three million. Looking ahead to 2026, Nedbank expects to maintain an ROE above 15 per cent. The group's economic outlook predicts GDP growth of 1.5 per cent for the coming year, with consumer spending and investment anticipated to drive continued banking activity.