In commemoration of World Blood Donor Day and World Sickle Cell Day 2025, Access Holdings, one of Africa’s leading financial services groups, successfully executed a group-wide blood drive across six African countries, reinforcing its commitment to improving health outcomes and driving real impact in the communities it serves.  Held under the theme “Shine the Light on Sickle Cell,” the initiative brought together employees, community members, health professionals, and partner organisations in a coordinated effort to provide safe blood donations, a lifeline for individuals living with sickle cell disorder and others in critical need of transfusions.

A Continent United by Purpose

Blood donation is still one of the most essential yet underappreciated pillars of public health in Africa.

According to the World Health Organisation, Africa faces a significant shortfall in safe and voluntary blood donations, a challenge that puts countless lives at risk, especially those living with conditions such as Sickle Cell Disorder (SCD), which affects millions across the continent.

Recognising this need, Access Holdings expanded its annual blood donation initiative beyond Nigeria’s borders, extending its reach to African subsidiaries of its banking group, Access Bank, in Angola, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, and Cameroon.

In some countries, the drive focused specifically on supporting individuals living with sickle cell disease, while in others, it formed part of broader efforts to strengthen national blood banks and encourage a culture of voluntary donation.

“This was not just about donating blood, it was about showing up for our communities when it matters most,” said Esther Graham, Programme Officer, Health, Access Holdings.

“In Nigeria, where an estimated 2 million units of blood are needed annually but only about 25–30% of that is collected, and less than a fifth of that from voluntary donors. The impact is heartbreaking; emergency care is delayed, maternal mortality rises, and lives are lost to preventable shortages. Across Africa, the situation is just as critical, with an average of only 5 units available per 1,000 people, only half of the World Health Organisation’s recommended benchmark. This initiative was a powerful reminder that even the smallest act of generosity can create life-saving impact and reaffirm our shared humanity.”

Real Impact, Tangible Results 

The campaign witnessed strong participation from staff, customers, and local community members, many of whom were first-time donors. To ensure safety and ethical standards, Access Holdings partnered certified healthcare organisations and blood banks to guarantee that every unit collected was properly handled and responsibly distributed.

Key results from the drive include:

• 760+ pints of blood donated across 6 countries

• Hundreds of lives potentially impacted, especially among patients with chronic conditions.

• Increased public awareness around sickle cell disorder and the importance of voluntary blood donation.

• High staff engagement, led by the Sustainability Champions Network across Access subsidiaries.

“It was heartwarming to see staff across all levels participate,” said Tania Macaneta, Team Lead, Marketing and Communications, African Subsidiaries, Access Bank.

“In some locations, even community members and customers stepped up to donate. This kind of unified action is what sustainable development truly looks like.”

More Than One-Time Campaign

The blood drive forms part of Access Holdings’ broader commitment to sustainability and health equity under its impact agenda.

In recent years, the Group has supported sickle cell warriors through initiatives that include:

• Free insurance cover for individuals living with SCD

• Educational support and back-to-school items for affected children

• Public awareness campaigns and screenings in underserved communities.

By integrating sustainability into the fabric of its business operations, Access Holdings continues to demonstrate that profit and purpose can, and should, go hand in hand. “Blood donation is one of the most selfless acts anyone can make, it requires no wealth, only the will to help. At Access Bank, we believe in building stronger communities through compassion and care. Today, we celebrate every donor whose generosity saves lives, and we encourage more people to step forward and be heroes,” said Allan Ratemo, Head of Corporate Communications, Access Bank Kenya.

The Way Forward

While the 2025 blood drive may be over, its message endures: impact is a habit, not an event. Through continued education, partnerships, and volunteerism, Access Holdings is committed to fostering a culture of compassion and proactive health support across Africa.

“At Access Bank, we recognise that the simple act of donating blood can mean the difference between life and death. On this World Blood Donor Day, we stand in solidarity with donors around the world and reaffirm our commitment to supporting health and humanity. Giving blood is not just a donation, it is a gift of life, and we are proud to champion this cause,” noted Maline Cera, Team Lead, Corporate Communications, Access Bank Mozambique.

As Access Holdings reflects the impact of this year’s drive, one thing is certain; its staff, partners, and communities are ready to keep showing up, time and again.

Ecobank Nigeria is undergoing a comprehensive transformation aimed at accelerating revenue growth, improving asset quality, and enhancing operational efficiency. Early results from the first half of 2025 demonstrate significant progress, with revenue increasing by 30% to ₦113.7 billion compared to ₦87.6 billion in H1 2024.

The bank has also accelerated impairment provisions to support loan write-offs and has seen gross impairment charges rise by over 200% to ₦32.8 billion in H1 2025. Profit before tax nearly doubled, reaching ₦13.5 billion, up 90% from ₦7.1 billion in the prior year period. Ecobank Nigeria continues to maintain a liquidity ratio well above the regulatory minimum of 30%.

A source from the bank says a key driver of this success is the establishment of the asset quality war room, which has intensified efforts in loan collections and recoveries. Additionally, improved oil production has positively impacted the bank’s loan recovery, particularly in the oil and gas sector. Notably, the bank recovered $6 million (over ₦9 billion) from a long-standing delinquent borrower, and over ₦170 billion in stage 2 loans were reclassified to stage 1 following consistent performance.

Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), the parent company, remains committed to supporting Ecobank Nigeria, having injected over $10 million in 2024 to help meet the Central Bank of Nigeria’s capital requirements. Further capital injections and strategic measures are underway to restore the bank’s Capital Adequacy Ratio to required levels.

The bank recently confirmed the successful early repayment of 50% of its US$300 million Eurobond ahead of its February 2026 maturity, demonstrating strong financial resilience. The bond currently trades near par, reflecting investor confidence.

Ecobank Nigeria continues to comply with regulatory directives, refraining from dividend payouts or management bonuses to preserve capital and ensure long-term stability.

An industry analyst commented, “While challenges remain, the ongoing transformation positions Ecobank Nigeria for sustainable growth. The near-par trading of its bond signals a strong market.

FirstBank, the West Africa premier financial institution and financial inclusion services provider, has strengthened its partnership with the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) to reaffirm its commitment to driving sustainable finance and unlocking capital for development. This ongoing partnership was reinforced at the recently concluded Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) hosted by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) in Seville, Spain.

The FfD4 Conference brought together global leaders, policymakers, and private sector experts to discuss innovative solutions to address the growing SDG financing gap and unlock capital for development in fragile and underserved regions.

FirstBank’s Chief Risk Officer, Patrick Akhidenor, represented the bank at the conference and highlighted two FirstBank flagship initiatives driving resilience finance in Nigeria: The Solar Equipment Financing initiative and the revamped FirstGem Fund. The Solar Equipment Financing initiative offers tailored financing options for the purchase and installation of solar power systems, ensuring access to clean, reliable, and affordable energy solutions. The FirstGem Fund, a women-focused proposition, provides single-digit interest loans to women entrepreneurs without collateral requirements, targeting funding gaps in critical sectors.

“We are committed to driving sustainable finance and unlocking capital for development,” said Patrick Akhidenor. “Our partnership with UNGC and participation in the FfD4 Conference demonstrate our dedication to innovative finance solutions that address the SDG financing gap.”

Sanda Ojambo, CEO of UNGC, emphasized the need for innovative, inclusive financial models for underserved regions. “The private sector must play a central role in shaping fit-for-purpose, scalable finance solutions,” she said. “De-risking tools and blended finance can help unlock capital and drive meaningful impact.

FirstBank’s partnership with Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and its SMEConnect hub demonstrate its capacity to lead efforts in sustainable finance. The bank provides training, networking, and tailored financing to SMEs across various sectors, including education, healthcare, and retail