Access Bank Revamps Devt Banking Desk to Empower Businesses, NGOs

Access Bank has strengthened its development banking desk to drive sustainable development in Nigeria and across the African continent, by providing support and financing for non-profit organisations, businesses as well as promoting financial inclusion.

According to the bank, the initiative is in line with its vision of being the world’ most respected African bank with an unwavering dedication and commitment to fostering positive change, herald development and making a lasting impact in the finance, business, community, organisations, and industry it serves by solidifying its status as a key development finance leader and partner for non-profit organisations and institutions on the continent.

Executive director of the Commercial Bank Division at Access Bank, Hadiza Ambursa, expressed enthusiasm about the revamped Development Desk and its potential impact on Nigeria’s economic landscape.

She stated that, “Our vision is to drive economic empowerment and financial inclusion by providing specialised financial products and services to businesses, NGOs and institutions. Through this initiative, we aim to support and nurture the growth of these entities, fostering a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem in Nigeria and beyond.

“As the foremost financial powerhouse, we hope to achieve our audacious goals in Development Banking as a preferred banking partner for the non-for-profit organisations already in Nigeria and all other Countries where we have presence and those hoping to come by helping to boost bilateral and multilateral banking relationships, manage the donor funds and the programmes the funds are meant for, support projects and initiatives that are channelled towards the common good of the public like charitable activities, climate change,  poverty reduction, improved quality of education, improved health and to play a crucial role in financing projects that contribute to achieving the bank’s goals as well as creating a one stop shop for the unique needs of Not-For-Profit sector.

“Also, our dedicated team will assist in writing bespoke proposals for the NGOs and based on market insights we would create new product offerings such as corporate accounts with concessions, conditional cash transfers, primus-plus, Advisory services and services that would resolve new problems arising with the changing market climate while we sustain the desk with data driven market intelligence that will constantly improve our day-to-day collaboration with relevant agencies and engage the relevant stakeholders to understand their challenges, concerns and opportunities to co-create financial solutions that will meet the unique emerging needs of the not-for-profit organisation in Nigeria and indeed across the African continent just as we will advocate for regulatory reforms that best support developmental initiatives and give quality advisory services.”

In the same vein, head, Development Banking Desk, Ambur Sule, said: ‘’The Development Desk serves as a conduit for global funds and resources, bolstering the bank’s influence in the African region and fortifying Nigeria’s position on the international development stage.’’

Ambur stressed that, “as we move toward a more interconnected world, Access Bank’s role as a development finance leader and partner becomes increasingly vital. Our collaborations with esteemed NGOs and Institutions as a partner are instrumental in driving inclusive growth, deepening financial inclusion, reducing poverty, and boosting infrastructure development in Nigeria.”

Development Banking Desk is a specialised desk within Access Bank mandated to provide exclusive financial support to Non-Profit Organisations such as International Non-Governmental Organisations, Non-Governmental Organisations, Bilateral and Multilateral Institutions, Donor Agencies, Embassies among others, who strategically carry out projects and initiatives that are geared towards social progress, impact, and economic development.

Parallel to its achievements in corporate and commercial banking, Access Bank’s Development Desk has set the stage for strategic global partnerships and collaborations that will significantly contribute to Nigeria’s overall development as the Development Banking team and Desk work together with Sustainability team to strictly deal with businesses that comply with the 17 sustainable Development Goals.