Atlas Mara Limited was founded in 2013 by former Barclays CEO Bob Diamond and entrepreneur Ashish J. Thakkar with the vision of creating a premier sub-Saharan African financial services group. The company raised capital through an IPO on the London Stock Exchange and proceeded to acquire stakes in various banks across Africa, including in Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, and Rwanda. However, after a period of poor share performance and operational challenges, the company underwent a strategic review. This culminated in a series of transactions with its largest creditor, Access Bank Plc, which acquired Atlas Mara's key banking assets. Subsequently, Atlas Mara was delisted from the London Stock Exchange on March 1, 2023, and continues to operate as a private holding company.