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.

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The Alternative Bank (AltBank) has won the Innovative Bank of the Year award at the 7th African International Conference on Islamic Finance (AICIF) in Lagos.

The Executive Director for South at The Alternative Bank, Mrs Korede Demola-Adeniyi, said, “This award affirms what we’ve always believed, that innovation and integrity can coexist at the heart of banking.

“It reflects the trust our clients place in us and our shared vision of a more sustainable and inclusive future,” she added.

Chairman of the AICIF Award Panel, Professor AbdulRazzaq Alaro, praised the transparency of the process, commending the awardees for their significant contributions to advancing interest-free financing for Africans.

“The AICIF awards are a special way of recognising the exceptional innovation and dedication demonstrated by individuals and organisations in advancing Islamic finance across Africa,” he said.

AICIF has long been a cornerstone for intellectual discourse and professional excellence in finance across Africa. The awards recognise individuals and organisations that demonstrate exceptional dedication, innovation, and excellence in advancing the principles and practices of non-interest finance.

The lender stands out in Nigeria’s banking sector by combining non-interest principles with cutting-edge digital solutions. Launched as a non-interest window in 2014 and officially licensed as a bank in 2023, the bank has positioned itself as an industry leader.

Its offerings, such as the AltElite premium banking suite and an innovative gold-based rewards system, are redefining banking for a new generation of customers.

By combining non-interest finance principles with advanced digital tools, The Alternative Bank is redefining modern banking for a new generation.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A significant step towards reducing the high failure rate of small businesses in Nigeria has been taken by Access Bank Plc with the launch of an SME Academy.

The financial institution said entrepreneurs will receive adequate training tailored to help them scale up their ventures and remain afloat.

Access Bank said it was coming up with this initiative in Nigeria following its successful rollout in Ghana, which led to measurable improvements in SME performance in the West African neighbouring nation.

It said small business owners would be equipped with essential skills, knowledge, and resources for sustainable growth.

The SME Academy will run multiple times annually, eventually becoming a pipeline for continuous mentorship and engagement.

The maiden cohort focuses on businesses operating for three to four years and looking to scale. The curriculum covers strategic planning, digital marketing, financial management, access to finance, and operational efficiency areas identified as common challenges for Nigerian SMEs.

The Head of Retail Banking at Access Bank, Olumide Olatunji, said, “Given the opportunities within Nigeria’s population and the central role SMEs play in sustaining the economy, it became necessary to bring this initiative home.”

The Group Head of SME Banking at the lender, Ms Abiodun Olubitan, explained that the inaugural edition targets 80 established business owners and is structured as a three-day intensive training.

The programme focuses on strengthening business structures, improving financial readiness, and boosting survival rates in a sector where many firms fail within five years.

“SMEs contribute over 80 per cent to GDP globally, so supporting them is essential. Our research shows that inadequate capital and weak capacity are major reasons businesses collapse. The academy addresses these gaps by providing practical tools entrepreneurs can immediately apply,” she stated.

Although the programme does not include grant funding, Access Bank will offer financing opportunities to participants who demonstrate strong business capacity and bankability after the training.

“Funding is important, but we want to support entrepreneurs who have the capacity to manage it responsibly. The academy helps us build that confidence,” Ms Olubitan added.

Participants praised the initiative for delivering high-quality training at no cost, with the chief executive of TMA Global Consult, Ms Juliet Ike, describing it as a timely opportunity to strengthen her business structures, while Dr Onipidan Adebayo of ShawBC Ventures highlighted the value of receiving business school–level insights for free.

With over 39 million MSMEs contributing more than 80 percent of employment and nearly half of Nigeria’s GDP, Access Bank’s SME Academy arrives at a pivotal moment.