Societe Generale Ghana PLC reported a profit after tax of GHS 397 million for the financial year ending December 31, 2025. This significant financial achievement was announced during the bank's 46th virtual Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on June 10, 2026. The bank also disclosed a substantial increase in its share price over the same period.
Despite this strong performance, the bank currently holds GHS 9,974,601.55 in unclaimed dividends for 29,685 shareholders from the 2024 financial year. This issue persists even after the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) directed all dividend payments to be made electronically from February 1, 2024. The bank has urged shareholders to update their details with the Registrar or their stockbrokers to receive pending payments.
This situation highlights a recurring challenge in Ghana's financial markets regarding investor communication and data accuracy. The SEC's directive aims to improve efficiency and reduce the volume of unclaimed dividends, a common problem across the Ghanaian stock market. Electronic transfers are intended to streamline the process, but outdated shareholder information remains a barrier. This affects liquidity for investors and ties up capital for companies.
Mrs. Margaret Boateng Sekyere, Board Chair of Societe Generale Ghana PLC, noted the global economy's resilience in 2025 despite geopolitical tensions. She highlighted global growth of 3.3%, driven by easing financial conditions and fiscal stimulus. Ghana's banking sector also remained resilient, experiencing a 21.5% growth in total industry assets. Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) declined to 18.9% from 21.8% in 2024, indicating improved asset quality.
The bank's share price surged by 199% in 2025, increasing from GHS 1.5 to GHS 4.49. This reflects strong investor confidence in the bank's long-term strategy, according to Mrs. Sekyere. Managing Director Mr. Hakim Ouzzani attributed the bank's resilient performance to a net interest income of GHS 1.19 billion and a more than twofold rise in net trading income to GHS 122.3 million. He also reported a Return on Equity (ROE) of 15.1% and shareholders' funds increasing to GHS 2.60 billion. These figures demonstrate the bank's robust financial health and its capacity to support the recovering private sector.
The continued issue of unclaimed dividends, despite the transition to electronic payments, suggests a need for more aggressive public awareness campaigns. Companies and registrars must ensure shareholders understand the new protocol and its implications. Furthermore, the SEC might need to review compliance mechanisms for shareholder data updates. The Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) could also implement stricter reporting requirements for banks to detail their efforts in resolving unclaimed dividend issues. Addressing this problem is crucial for enhancing investor trust and market efficiency.