Business
Access Bank: A Game-Changer in Africa’s Financial Future
In today’s ever-evolving financial landscape, few institutions can claim to be true pioneers. But Access Bank, with its bold vision, cutting-edge innovation, and pan-African presence, has shattered the traditional image of a bank.
It is no longer just a financial institution—it’s a movement, a catalyst for economic empowerment, and a force driving sustainable change across continents.
From Nigeria to the World
With headquarters in Lagos, Access Bank has become Africa’s largest bank by customer base, serving over 60 million customers across more than 20 countries in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. With bank’s total assets valued at a staggering N41.5 trillion (Access Holdings); N40.8trillion (Access Bank) as at FY December 31, 2024, it’s Nigeria’s largest bank by assets and a formidable multinational financial player.
Global Footprint: Beyond Borders
In Africa, it has recorded a domineering presence in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Zambia, DRC, Tanzania, South Africa, Cameroon, Mozambique, and Angola. Excellently spreading its tentacles in European countries, its footprint is felt in the United Kingdom and France while it has penetrated the Middle East: United Arab Emirates (UAE).
However, the bank also have representative Offices in India, China, and Lebanon.
Innovation as a Growth Engine
What sets Access Bank apart isn’t just its size, but its commitment to innovation and customer-centric technology.
In partnership with Avaya, the bank deployed a hybrid cloud contact center solution, enhancing real-time customer engagement and scalability.
Result? An impressive 10% increase in customer satisfaction score (from 54% to 64%) and a dramatic Net Promoter Score jump from -4 to +23.
Its digital banking platforms support millions of daily transactions, providing secure, accessible banking across mobile, internet, and agent networks.
Expanding Digital Inclusion
It’s investment in technology isn’t just about convenience—it’s about financial inclusion:
* Over 50,000 Closa Agents across Nigeria, ensuring the unbanked and underserved have access to basic financial services.
* Robust mobile banking platforms designed to work even in low-bandwidth areas.
* Internet Banking offering seamless 24/7 account management, bill payment, and fund transfers.
Banking on Sustainability: ESG in Action
Access Bank is Africa’s most recognized ESG-focused bank, winning:
* Best Bank in Nigeria
* Best Bank in Ghana for ESG
— both at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2024 and 2025
Through sustainable finance initiatives, the bank has:
* Financed renewable energy projects across rural Africa
* Promoted clean energy access
* Cut carbon emissions through green operations and eco-loans
Its SME Banking Programme empowers thousands of small businesses with tailored financial products, mentorship, and market access—crucial for Africa’s post-pandemic recovery.
The 2027 Vision: 125 Million Customers
With its determination to be a driver in the industry, Access Bank is targeting 22 African countries by 2027, signaling a strategic drive for dominance across emerging markets.
However, doubling its customer base to 125 million by 2027 is a huge feet that is conquerable. In realisation of that, it’s anchoring on:
* Aggressive digital expansion
* Continental acquisition strategy
* Inclusive financial products
* Youth and women-focused entrepreneurship financing
With its smart, people-first approach, Access Bank is not just participating in Africa’s growth story—it’s writing it.
Conclusion
As Africa eye a new economic dawn, Access Bank is proving that banking can be more than numbers—it can be purpose-driven, sustainable, and transformational.
For the youth in Kano or Kigali, the entrepreneur in Accra or Addis Ababa, and the rural trader in Makurdi or Mombasa—Access Bank isn’t just a bank. It’s a partner for progress.
Speaking through its Chairperson, Theresa Moses, the Nigeria Online Media Alliance (NOMA), noted that the ambition is not only possible—it’s well underway.
“So, yes – Access Bank is more than banking. It’s the future. And the future is here.
“Access Bank represents a bold new vision of what an African bank can, and should be – global, inclusive, digital, and sustainable. As Chairperson of NOMA, I can confidently say: This is not just Africa’s largest bank by numbers; it is Africa’s most impactful bank by purpose.”
Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening diaspora engagement, advancing healthcare development in Nigeria through the introduction of its healthcare investment proposition to the Nigerian-American medical community at the 2026 ANPA Carolinas Symposium held in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The ANPA Carolinas Symposium, hosted annually by the South Carolina and North Carolina Chapters of the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA), convenes over 170 physicians and healthcare professionals for medical and scientific dialogue on issues impacting communities across North America, the Caribbean, and Africa, particularly among people of Nigerian descent.
Speaking at the event, UBA’s Head of Diaspora Banking, Anant Rao, made a compelling case for structured diaspora participation in Nigeria’s healthcare transformation, encouraging attendees to expand their contribution beyond remittances toward long-term institution-building.
“The financial infrastructure required to connect your success abroad to sustainable institutional impact at home has not been intentionally designed for diaspora healthcare investors until now,” Rao said.
During his presentation, Rao introduced the ANPA–UBA Diaspora Healthcare Investment Platform — a professionally managed investment vehicle designed to channel diaspora capital into specialist hospitals, diagnostic centres, telemedicine infrastructure, and medical training institutions across Nigeria.
“Every dollar invested delivers a dual return — creating value for investors while contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s healthcare future. We now have the regulatory framework, banking infrastructure, governance structures, and institutional commitment to make this possible,” he added.
Under the proposed structure, UBA will serve as custodian and structuring bank, while United Capital Asset Management, one of Nigeria’s leading asset managers with over ₦1.2 trillion in assets under management, will act as fund manager.
As part of deepening engagement with the Nigerian-American medical community, Rao also proposed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UBA and the two ANPA chapters. The proposed collaboration is anchored on six strategic pillars: preferred banking offerings for ANPA members; quarterly financial education sessions; the joint Healthcare Infrastructure Fund; a dedicated ANPA Wealth and Legacy Desk; access to group-rate family healthcare plans through Avon HMO; and a UBA co-matching contribution framework to support qualifying impact vehicles under the Pearl Endowment Fund.
The initiative represents a further expansion of UBA’s diaspora value proposition, which currently includes Non-Resident Nigerian (NRN) accounts in multiple currencies, fixed-income and dollar-denominated investment solutions through United Capital, elder-care trust solutions under the Homeland Anchor Care Trust programme in partnership with Avon HMO, and private wealth management offerings tailored to senior diaspora professionals.
The 2026 ANPA Carolinas Symposium marks another milestone in UBA’s strategic engagement with the diaspora community and reinforces the Bank’s long-held belief that diaspora capital can play a transformative role in accelerating healthcare and infrastructure development across Africa.
Business
One-Day MD/CEO Children’s Day Initiative: Wema Bank Makes Final Call for Submission of Entries
As the deadline of May 20, 2026, fast approaches, Wema Bank has announced the last call for submissions for children and teens interested in participating in becoming MD/CEO of Wema Bank for one day.
Launched in May 2025 as part of Wema Bank’s 80th anniversary celebration, the One-Day MD/CEO initiative was introduced by Wema Bank to commemorate Children’s Day in a uniquely unprecedented manner. Inspired by the Bank’s 80th anniversary theme “80 Years of Impact, A Future of Possibilities”, the Wema Bank One-Day MD/CEO initiative served as a bridge between past and future, giving children across Nigeria the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become the MD/CEO of Wema Bank for one day—Children’s Day.
As 12-year-old Chiderije Mbah emerged winner, the Wema Bank One-Day MD/CEO initiative dominated the conversation on May 27, 2025, with children across Nigeria inspired to put in the work towards a successful future and parents commending the Bank’s consistent commitment to empowering children and helping them build the right future. This year, 2026, the Wema Bank One-Day MD/CEO initiative has returned on a larger scale.
For the 2026 Children’s Day celebration, Wema Bank will give another child or teenager [ages 0-16] a chance to step into the shoes of Managing Director/CEO of Wema Bank, for a day. The child will get to oversee board meetings, make tactical decisions, and experience firsthand the demands and responsibilities that come with the office of MD/CEO, especially for an institution like Wema Bank, Nigeria’s oldest indigenous national bank, most innovative and pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT.
To participate, children/teens are expected to record a 60-second video detailing what their ideal role in banking would be and what they hope to achieve. This video is to be posted on any social media platform using #EvolutionOfPossibilities and tagging @wemabank on the post. The post with the highest number of likes emerges winner and the winner gets to become MD/CEO of Wema Bank on Monday, May 25, 2026, in celebration of Children’s Day.
Both parents and teens are encouraged to hurry and make their submissions now as entry closes in less than two days, specifically on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
More details on the Bank’s social media platforms @wemabank
First Bank of Nigeria Limited has announced the launch of its Naira Visa Debit Card, in partnership with Visa to extend accessible, reliable electronic payment capabilities to a broader segment of the Nigerian population.
The card is targeted at everyday consumers who require a dependable payment instrument for routine domestic and international transactions. Accepted across POS terminals, ATMs, and online platforms through Visa’s payments network, the Naira Visa Debit Card is designed to reduce friction for customers transitioning from cash to electronic payments across retail, utilities, and digital commerce.
The launch aligns with Nigeria’s ongoing drive toward a cashless economy, a policy direction that has gained significant momentum following successive Central Bank of Nigeria directives encouraging the adoption of electronic payment channels. The card is intended to serve customers across the country’s diverse economic segments.
Speaking on the launch, Chuma Ezirim, Group Executive, eBusiness & Retail Products, FirstBank, said: “Everyday transactions should be simple, secure, and rewarding. The Naira Visa Debit Card is designed to make life easier for our customers, whether they are paying for groceries, settling utility bills, or shopping online. By extending reliable electronic payment access across Nigeria, we are helping more people transition confidently from cash to digital payments, supporting the nation’s cashless policy and empowering communities with greater financial inclusion.”
Commenting on the strategic importance of the partnership, Andrew Uaboi, Vice President and Cluster Head, West Africa, Visa, noted: “A strong payments ecosystem is one that works for everyone. The Naira Visa Debit Card extends reliable electronic payment access to everyday Nigerian consumers, and this in addition to the cards in our portfolio continues to demonstrate what a truly comprehensive card portfolio looks like for the Nigerian market. Visa is proud to power this offering with FirstBank.”
The launch of the Naira Visa Debit Card broadens Visa card portfolio at FirstBank that already includes products spanning credit cards and High-end premium lifestyle spending cards. The addition completes its offering across customer segments, ensuring that cardholders at every income level have access to a product suited to their needs.
The Naira Visa Debit Card is available to all eligible FirstBank account holders through any of the bank’s branches nationwide.
