The investment was disclosed in a regulatory filing with the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) dated 10 February 2026, signed by the company’s secretary, Osammor Otiono & Co. DEAP Capital said the funds will be deployed to support its capital expansion and restructure operations in line with a new business strategy focused on growth and market relevance.
At the heart of the transaction is DEAP Capital’s ambition to leverage Africa’s rising profile in critical minerals and rare earth markets. Chairman Dr. Kenneth Olise described the investment as a “watershed” moment for the firm.
“The accelerating global demand for critical minerals and rare earths has redefined the strategic importance of mineral-rich economies. Africa cannot be left behind in this emerging era. This Banklink Africa investment,” he said, underscoring the broader opportunity it unlocks.
First Tranche of a ₦6bn Commitment
The ₦1.0 billion commitment represents the first tranche of a ₦6.0 billion equity partnership between DEAP Capital and Banklink Africa and its co-investors. The Final Definitive Agreement was executed on 9 February 2026 at a ceremony held at the Marriott Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.
The second tranche of ₦5.0 billion is scheduled for completion after DEAP Capital’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 10 March 2026, pending shareholder approval and regulatory clearance.
This funding arrangement builds on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in December 2025, under which Banklink Africa’s Equity Fund II agreed to bolster DEAP Capital’s funding base and provide an investment framework for mineral and metals projects across Africa.
Regulatory and Strategic Implications
With the first tranche now received, DEAP Capital aims to meet the Securities and Exchange Commission’s recapitalisation requirements for a Tier 1 Issuing House licence, a key regulatory benchmark that would enhance its capital markets credentials.
Market watchers view the investment as timely, coming at a juncture when the company is repositioning itself for long-term competitiveness, especially within the burgeoning mineral finance space.
The upcoming AGM will shed further light on the company’s strategic direction and is expected to reinforce investor confidence in its growth prospects.
Financial Context and Market Reaction
DEAP Capital, listed on the NGX since 17 December 2007, is a diversified financial services firm operating in fund management, capital markets, mortgage banking, and oil & gas.
In its audited financial results for the year ended 30 September 2025, released in December, the company reported a pre-tax loss of ₦28.8 million and an accumulated loss of ₦5.2 billion, which eroded shareholders’ funds to negative ₦2.3 billion.
However, recent performance shows early signs of improvement. For the quarter ended December 2025, DEAP Capital recorded a profit after tax of ₦2.4 million, reversing the ₦3.69 million loss reported in the same period a year earlier. Total equity improved from -₦2.3 billion to -₦1.97 billion over the period.
Reflecting investor optimism around the funding news, DEAP Capital’s shares traded at ₦9.07 per share by midday on 11 February 2026, up 10% intraday from the previous day’s close.
What This Means Going Forward
The Banklink Africa investment not only shored up DEAP Capital’s capital base but also signifies growing institutional interest in African financial players positioned to capitalise on the continent’s resource economy.
As DEAP Capital drives ahead with its strategic pivot and upcoming corporate engagements, the infusion is likely to shape its operational priorities — from regulatory compliance to expansion into new financial frontiers.