Absa Group Ltd. (ASA.JO), South Africa's largest retail lender, Friday said it has sold its 50% stake in Banco Comercial Angolano Sarl to six of the Angolan bank's shareholders for an undisclosed sum.

Absa said its strategy is to obtain controlling stakes in banks in selected African countries, but it was unable to get outright control of BCA.

"Angola remains an attractive market to Absa and the group shall consider opportunities to invest should they arise," the Johannesburg-based company said.

The disposal will reinstate full ownership of BCA in the hands of Angolan shareholders.

Company Web site: www.absa.co.za

-By Robb M. Stewart, Dow Jones Newswires; +27 11 783 7848; robb.stewart@dowjones.com