Business
Access Bank: Soaring Beyond Borders as Africa’s Leading Brand
When you think of resilience, innovation, and transformation in Africa’s financial services sector, one name that resonates and continues to shine above the rest is Access Bank Plc.
For the fourth consecutive year, it has been crowned, once again, as Nigeria’s Most Valuable Brand in the “Nigeria 25 2025” ranking by Brand Finance, the world’s foremost brand valuation consultancy.
This ranking, backed by a detailed research study from the Nigeria Online Media Alliance (NOMA), affirms Access Bank’s monumental impact across Nigeria, Africa, and key global markets.
Access Bank’s ascension to the top isn’t by a fluke — it’s as a result of strategic clarity, customer trust, and a corporate vision centered on sustainable growth and inclusive finance. The NOMA-backed research underscores that the bank’s brand equity is a direct reflection of customer satisfaction, digital transformation, and regional impact.
From Lagos to London, Nairobi to Paris, Access Bank is redefining African banking. Operating in 23 countries, with over 60 million customers, and 700+ branches and service outlets, the Bank is not only scaling—it is setting new frontiers in global banking standards.
According to Roosevelt Ogbonna, Managing Director/CEO of Access Bank, emphasized that “This recognition as Nigeria’s most valuable brand for the fourth year running is a testament to the strength of our people, our customers’ trust, and the strategic clarity that drives everything we do.
“At Access Bank, we remain committed to delivering value through innovation, financial inclusion, and impactful partnerships across Africa and beyond.”
In a time when Nigeria’s economy faces headwinds, the banking sector has emerged as a pillar of strength. Also, according to Brand Finance, banks now account for 59% of the total brand value in the “Nigeria 25 2025” ranking—signaling public trust and the sector’s expanding influence.
Babatunde Odumeru, Managing Director of Brand Finance Nigeria, noted: “Nigerian banking brands continue to grow, successfully navigating a challenging economic landscape with strategic agility while also maintaining customer loyalty.”
Beyond the data lies the heartbeat of Access Bank’s success—its customers. Across urban centers and rural communities, individuals and businesses are experiencing the bank’s transformative touch.
A known fashion entrepreneur in Ibadan, capital of Oyo state, South West Nigeria, Mrs. Kemi Olawale, said of the bank: “Access Bank believed in my business when no one else did. Their digital banking tools make it easy to manage my finances and reach global clients from my living room.”
To Umar Yusuf, a Youth Tech Developer in Kano, in his reflection of the bank, observed: “Through Access Bank’s innovation hub support and SME financing, I was able to scale my coding startup and employ five other youths. That’s real impact.”
In her reverend compliments, Mrs. Ngozi Eze, a retiree in Enugu, added: “I feel safe and respected with Access Bank. Their customer service is a top-notch, and I love ingenuity making financial literacy part of their service.”
To Mr. Femi Dare, a logistics operator in Lagos, “The bank’s flexible business loans helped me expand my fleet. What I love most is how they combine tech with the human touch,” just as Mrs. Fatima Mohammed, a teacher in Minna, remarked, “Their school savings initiative helped our students’ parents stay on track. I see Access Bank as more than a bank—they’re partners in education.”
Mr. Chijioke Onyekachi, a diaspora returnee in Abuja, adds: “Coming back to Nigeria, I needed a bank I could trust. Access bank made the transition seamless and safe. Their cross-border services are world-class.”
Under the evolving leadership of Bolaji Agbede, Acting Group CEO of Access Holdings PLC, the bank is setting its sights even higher.
She noted that “Access Bank’s brand leadership reflects the Group’s long-term vision of becoming the world’s most respected African financial institution. As we continue to evolve and expand our footprint, we are focused on delivering sustainable growth, deepening stakeholder trust, and enhancing the customer experience across all our markets.”
Access Bank’s consistent top-ranking performance stems from its:
• Commitment to financial inclusion and digital transformation
• Investment in youth empowerment, SMEs, and innovation
• Focus on green finance and sustainability
• Strategic expansion into key international markets
As Access Bank celebrates yet another milestone, its journey serves as a beacon for other African institutions aspiring to global relevance to emulate. More than a financial brand, Access Bank represents a movement—one rooted in trust, innovation, and human progress.
With strategic leadership, a loyal customer base, and a relentless drive for excellence, Access Bank isn’t just Nigeria’s most valuable brand—it’s Africa’s flagship of financial ingenuity.
Special Report by Nigeria Online Media Alliance (NOMA), a coalition of reputable digital news platforms and independent journalists committed to promoting factual, data-driven reporting and media transparency. NOMA conducts in-depth research, monitors brand performance, and amplifies stories that shape national conversations.
Their investigative insights and media audits are widely respected across corporate, civil, and governmental sectors, positioning NOMA as a trusted authority on brand perception and public engagement in Nigeria’s digital space.
Access Bank Plc, Nigeria’s largest retail bank, is set to unveil DettyFusion, an innovative all-in-one digital platform designed to help Nigerians at home and in the diaspora seamlessly discover, plan, and enjoy entertainment events during the upcoming Christmas and New Year festive season.
Billed as the first-of-its-kind entertainment aggregator in the country, DettyFusion will serve as a centralized hub where users can explore event calendars, purchase tickets, access exclusive discounts, participate in curated festive experiences, and make safe, seamless payments throughout the holiday period.
Speaking on the forthcoming launch, Access Bank’s Head of Mobility, Ishmael Nwokocha, said the platform was inspired by the bank’s commitment to enhancing customer experience during the highly anticipated Detty December season.
“Every December, Nigerians look forward to moments that bring joy, connection, and unforgettable experiences. The launch of DettyFusion will create a single gateway that makes it easier, safer, and more convenient for customers to enjoy the thrills of Detty December,” Nwokocha stated.
He added that the platform reflects Access Bank’s drive to deliver innovative lifestyle solutions that extend beyond traditional banking services. “DettyFusion brings together key features that meet the needs of today’s digitally active and experience-driven audience,” he said.
With this initiative, Access Bank continues to reinforce its position as a leading lifestyle enabler, supporting Nigeria’s creative sector while empowering customers to enjoy top-tier entertainment during the festive season.
With DettyFusion, Detty December just got smarter, more convenient, and even more rewarding.
Across Africa, women are fast becoming the heartbeat of economic transformation. From bustling open-air markets to high-tech boardrooms, women-led enterprises are redefining what is possible for the continent’s future.
Whether as market traders expanding their reach through digital platforms, tech founders scaling innovations across borders, or artisans turning local crafts into global brands, women’s contributions are now central to Africa’s economic resurgence.
Even as they break new ground, many still face formidable barriers. Access to finance, mentorship, business education, and supportive networks remains limited. Structural issues such as weak property rights, gender bias, and inadequate legal protections often hinder women from securing loans or expanding their businesses.
Consequently, many women-owned ventures remain small, informal, and vulnerable to economic shocks.
Recognising both the promise and the obstacles, Access Bank has positioned itself at the forefront of empowering women across the continent. Recently named Africa’s Best Financier for Female Entrepreneurs by the EMEA Finance Awards, the Bank has earned global recognition for its commitment to inclusion, innovation, and sustainable impact.
At the centre of this effort is the W Initiative, one of Africa’s most comprehensive women-focused banking programmes. Unlike conventional banking, it combines finance with mentorship, training, and community support, acknowledging that true empowerment requires more than access to capital. The initiative meets women wherever they are on their entrepreneurial journey, from start-ups to growing enterprises and corporate leadership.
The W Power Loan offers affordable credit with flexible terms, enabling women to invest in expansion, inventory, or technology. The W Academy provides leadership and business training on financial literacy, marketing, and regulatory compliance, while the W Community connects women to peers, mentors, and role models across industries.
Importantly, these offerings extend beyond urban centres. From microloans sustaining traders in rural markets to leadership programmes developing female executives in multinational firms, Access Bank’s approach is deliberately inclusive. By partnering NGOs, business associations, and government agencies, it reaches women in underserved communities, ensuring participation in Africa’s economic rise.
The results are evident. Thousands of women have accessed credit, training, and networks through the Bank’s initiatives, enabling them to launch and scale businesses, create jobs, and uplift their communities. The ripple effects are far-reaching: increased household income, improved family wellbeing, and greater economic resilience. Women who once faced daunting barriers now serve as role models and change-makers, inspiring others to follow their path.
Studies show that when women thrive, societies prosper. The World Bank and African Development Bank note that empowering women fuels GDP growth, improves health outcomes, and enhances social stability. By directly addressing structural gaps in access to finance and information, Access Bank helps to unlock this transformative potential.
Apart from supporting entrepreneurs, Access Bank promotes gender inclusion within its own organisation. Its leadership pipeline identifies and advances talented women, while mentorship and wellness programmes help female professionals thrive. The Bank also uses public platforms, from conferences to policy dialogues, to share success stories and advocate for gender diversity across sectors.
The EMEA Finance recognition thus goes beyond trophies and titles; it affirms that profitability and purpose can coexist. For Access Bank, supporting women’s advancement is smart economics. By embedding inclusion into its DNA, the Bank is shaping a financial ecosystem that views women as equal partners in progress.
Access Bank’s influence also extends into advocacy. Through forums, roundtables, and research collaborations, the Bank engages policymakers, civil society, and business leaders to identify and dismantle barriers facing women entrepreneurs. Its campaigns amplify women’s voices, spotlighting their achievements and driving conversations around inclusive growth.
In another demonstration of its commitment to corporate social responsibility, leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has extended support to residents of the Makoko waterfront community in Lagos with the donation of boats, educational materials, food items and other essential relief items.
The donation was championed by the Achievers Inductees Class of 2025 under the Fidelity Helping Hands Programme (FHHP), the bank’s staff-led CSR initiative where members of staff identify areas of critical interventions in their communities, raise funds and receive matching support from the bank’s management to execute the projects.
Speaking on the donation, Divisional Head, Brand and Communications, Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr. Meksley Nwagboh, reaffirmed the bank’s dedication to supporting communities and fostering sustainable development.
“At Fidelity Bank, we believe that when communities thrive, businesses prosper. Our commitment goes beyond banking, it is about improving lives, supporting education, and creating opportunities for growth. This donation reflects our dedication to nurturing the next generation and contributing to a better, more sustainable future,” He stated.
Expressing appreciation on behalf of the community, the traditional leader of Makoko, Baale Shemede Emmanuel Ajakaekun, commended Fidelity Bank for its compassionate donation.
“We are grateful that Fidelity Bank came down here to support us. May their work continue to flourish, and may God lift them higher. We hope they will not forget us but come back again to support our people,” he said.
Similarly, the Proprietor, Part of Solution Orphanage, Nursery and Primary School, Shemede Taiwo, described the donation as life-changing for the children and residents.
“Many children here struggle to attend school because boats are expensive to build or hire. Fidelity Bank’s donation will make a huge difference in ensuring our children get to school safely and in ensuring the improved welfare of the residents of this community. We truly appreciate this gesture,” Shemede Taiwo said.
Through the Fidelity Helping Hands Programme (FHHP), the bank continues to empower communities across Nigeria by addressing key social issues in education, health, and welfare. The Makoko outreach comes off the back of a similar FHHP outreach to Old People’s Home in Yaba, Lagos, reaffirming Fidelity Bank’s commitment to the sustainable development that begins with genuine care for people and their environment.
Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 9.1 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
The Bank is a recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine. Additionally, the Bank was recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and as the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.
