Our Awards

At Access Bank, we aim to provide the best products, services and experiences. So we’re pleased that our efforts have been recognised.

2026
Award Awarding Body Category
Best Financial Inclusion and Innovation Bank for Africa Global Brand Frontier Awards International
Best SME Bank in Nigeria and Africa World Economic Magazine International
Best Sustainable Bank in Nigeria and Africa World Economic Magazine International
Best Private Bank in Nigeria Euromoney Global
Best Green Bank, Africa International Investor Magazine International
Best Sustainable Bank in Nigeria and Africa International Investor Magazine International
Best Sustainable Banking CEO (Innocent Ike) International Investor Magazine International
Champions Newspaper's Bank of the Year Champions Newspaper Local
Niigeria Best Digital Lending Services Company of the Year 2026 National Brands Excellence & Leadership Awards (NABELA 2026) Local
Best Financial Inclusion Services Provider 2026 Digital Banker Africa Awards International
Best Digital Banking Transformation 2026 Digital Banker Africa Awards International
Most Innovative Digital Bank 2026, Nigeria Digital Banker Africa Awards International
3G Best Corporate Governance Framework Award Global Good Governance Awards International
3G Community Empowerment Award Global Good Governance Awards International
ESG Champion Award – Finance Institution Category Recyclers Association of Nigeria Local
Africa's Best Bank for Corporate Responsibility Euromoney Global
Nigeria's Best Bank for Corporate Responsibility Euromoney Global
Nigeria's Best Bank for SME Euromoney Global
2025
Award Awarding Body Category
Best Retail Bank in Nigeria Asian Banker Global Excellence in Retail Finance Awards 2025 Global
Fastest Growing Corporate Bank Global Brands Magazine International
Best Bank in Ghana Euro Money Global
Best Bank in Gambia Euro Money Global
Best CSR Initiative - East Africa The Digital Banker- Global Retail Banking Innovation Awards International
Best Bank Gambia 2025 Global Banking and Finance Awards International
Best SME Bank Gambia 2025 Global Banking and Finance Awards International
Outstanding Sustainable Project Financing Karlsrhue Awards International
Forbes Best Employer Award Forbes International
Forbes World’s Top Companies for Women 2025 Forbes International
Most Outstanding Sustainability Initiatives Corporate Awards International
MSME Finance Bank of the Year (International Category) African Global Economic Forum International
Best CSR Initiative in West Africa The Digital Banker Awards International
Best Transaction Bank in Nigeria Euromoney Global
Best SME Bank  Global Finance International
Best ESG Initiative - Central Africa Digital Banker International
Most Sustainable Bank in Nigeria World Finance International
Best Provider of Short-term Investments/Money Market Funds in Africa 2025 Global Finance International
Best SME Financing Company - Nigeria 2025 International Finance International
Best Environmental Initiative in Banking/Finance World Economic Magazine International
2024
Award Name Category Award Organization
Most Sustainable Bank Of The Year African International Investors Awards
Sustainable Bank of the Year, Africa African Pan-Finance Awards
Best Trade Partner West Africa International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Outstanding Healthcare Financial Institution of the Year Local Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award (NHEA)
Best Digital Bank Nigeria 2024 International but Country-based World Economic Magazine
Best Company in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Local The Industry Magazine
Most Sustainable Bank International but Country-based World Finance
Nigeria's Best Bank 2024 Global Euromoney Awards
Sustainability and Community Development Leadership Award International but Country-based Texem Consulting, UK
Best MSME Financial Inclusion Local The Economic Forum
Best Digital Bank International but Country-based The Digital Banker Africa
Award of Excellence Local Labour Writers Association of Nigeria
Brand Leadership in Sustainability Local Brandcomm
Best Mobile Banking Brand International but Country-based Global Brands Magazine
Most Leading Sustainable Bank Nigeria International but Country-based Finance Derivative
The Integrity Bank of the Year Local Nigerian Association of Christian Journalists
Most Customer Friendly Bank Local Buzz News Best Awards
Most Innovative and reliable bank of the year Local Prestige Excellence Award
Bank of the Year Local African Custodian Awards
Gender Balance Empowering Company Local Voice of Women
Excellence in Digital Banking Local African Banking Awards
Most Innovative Bank in Africa Regional African Financial Technology Awards
Best Financial Institution for Women Empowerment Local Women in Business Awards
Financially Inclusive Bank of the Year Local Central Bank of Nigeria
Most Reputable Bank Local Lapriga
Global Bank of the Year Local THISDAY
AWARD CATEGORY AWARD ORGANIZATION
Consumer Finance Product of the Year. Middle East & Africa Retail Banking Innovation Awards (The Digital Banker)
Best Mobile Banking Initiative - Africa. Middle East & Africa Retail Banking Innovation Awards (The Digital Banker)
Best Bank for ESG Euromoney Awards
Best Bank in the Gambia  Euromoney Awards
Nigeria's Best Bank 2024 Euromoney Awards
2023
AWARD CATEGORY AWARD ORGANIZATION
Best SME Bank for Women Entrepreneurs in Africa Global SME Banking Innovation Awards
Best SME Bank The Global Finance SME Bank Awards 2023
Best Retail Bank in Nigeria The Asian Banker Global Excellence in RFS Awards
Bank/FI Bond Deal of the Year Bonds, Loans & ESG Capital Market Africa Awards
Most Innovative Banking Sustainable Development Company of the Year National Quality Order of Merit Award
Best Company in Gender Equality The Industry Award
Deal of the Year Deal Maker Africa
Most Sustainable Financial Brand The Industry Award
Best Sustainable Banking Group, Africa International Investor Award
Best Bank, Nigeria International Investor Award
Best Corporate Governance & Investment Relations, Nigeria International Investor Award
Bank Appreciation Award University of Lagos Engineering Society
Best Bank for Sustainable Finance in Nigeria 2023 Global Finance
Most Sustainable Bank in Nigeria World Finance
Gender Equality Champion Award International Finance Corporation (IFC) Gender Leadership Award
Family-Friendly Workplace Excellence Award International Finance Corporation (IFC) Gender Leadership Award
Recognition for Women’s Empowerment and Leadership International Finance Corporation (IFC) Gender Leadership Award
Company Leadership Gender Diversity Award International Finance Corporation (IFC) Gender Leadership Award
Environmental Leadership in Business Lagos Green Awards
2021
Award Category Award Organisation

Best Mobile Banking App, Nigeria

Finance Derivative Awards

Best CSR Bank, Nigeria

Finance Derivative Awards

Best Banking CEO Of the Year, Africa

International Banker Awards

Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria

International Banker Awards

Sustainable Bank of the Year, Africa

International Investor Awards

Most Sustainable Bank, Nigeria

World Finance Award

Banker of the Year

African Banker Award

Best Banking CEO, Nigeria

Global Brands Magazine Award

Best Mobile Banking App, Africa

Global Brands Magazine Award

Best Agro Banking Brand, Nigeria

Global Brands Magazine Award

Best Digital Banking Brand, Nigeria

Global Brands Magazine Award

Best CSR Bank, Nigeria

Global Brands Magazine Award

Best Bank for Investor Relations, Nigeria

Global Brands Magazine Award

Excellence in Financial Inclusion, Africa

PAN Finance Award

Sustainable Bank of the Year, Africa

PAN Finance Award

Best Digital Bank in Africa

Euromoney Award

Outstanding Leadership in Sustainability Transparency, Africa

Global Finance – Sustainable Finance Award

Outstanding Leadership in Green Loans, Africa

Global Finance – Sustainable Finance Award

Most Sustainable Green Bank Nigeria

World Economic Magazine Award

Best Banking CEO Nigeria

World Economic Magazine Award

Best Digital Bank Nigeria

World Economic Magazine Award

Agric Bank of the Year

Nigeria Agriculture Award

Best Bank for Women Entrepreneurs

Global SME Finance Awards

Best FX Services in Africa

EMEA Finance Treasury Services Awards

Most Outstanding Female Friendly Bank of The Year

WIMCA Award

Most Outstanding Brand Centric Women Community of the Year – W Initiative

WIMCA Award

Outstanding Digital Marketing Initiative

Middle East & Africa Retail Banking Innovation Awards

Outstanding response to COVID-19, Branchless Banking

Middle East & Africa Retail Banking Innovation Awards

Sustainability Award, Pan-Africa

EMEA Finance African Banking Awards

Best bank, Nigeria

EMEA Finance African Banking Awards

Best private bank, Nigeria 

EMEA Finance African Banking Awards

Platinum Winner

DBN Service Ambassadors Awards

Outstanding Business Sustainability Achievement

Karlsruhe Sustainable Finance Awards

SME Friendly Bank Brand of The Year

Brandcom Awards

Sustainability Team of The Year (Financial Services)

Brandcom Awards

Best Brand in Sustainability

Brandcom Awards

Best Bank in Empowerment of Youth through Job Creation in the Creative Sector across Africa

In-Short Awards

Special Ambassador of Africa’s Creative Sector – Access Bank GMD/CEO, Herbert Wigwe

In-Short Awards

Excellence in Corporate Communications Team (Private Sector)

LaPRIGA Awards

Ranking

Ranking Organisation

No. 1 Safest Bank in Nigeria

Global Finance

No. 1 Financial Sector Leader in Sustainability

CSR-in-Action Investor Report
2020
  • Outstanding Business Sustainability - Karlsruhe Sustainable Finance Awards
  • Best Bank Nigeria - International Investors Awards  
  • Sustainable Bank of the Year, Africa - International Investors Awards 
  • Africa’s Best Bank for SMEs - Euromoney
  • Best Digital Bank in Africa - Asian Banker Awards 
  • African Banker of the Year - African Banker Awards
  • Agric Deal of the Year - African Banker Awards
  • Best Trade Finance Provider, Nigeria - Global Finance Awards
  • Best Issuing Bank Partner, Africa - IFC Global Trade Awards
  • Outstanding Female Friendly Bank of the Year - WIMCA Awards
  • Best Brand in Sustainability - Brandcom Awards
  • SME Friendly Bank of the Year - Brandcom Awards
  • Bank of the Year - Leadership Newspaper Awards
  • Best Digital Banking Brand, Nigeria - Global Brand Awards
  • Best CSR Bank, Nigeria - Global Brand Awards
  • Best Bank for Investor Relations, Nigeria - Global Brand Awards
  • Best SME Banking Brand, Nigeria - Global Brand Awards
  • Best Bank in Nigeria - EMEA Finance Awards
  • Most Innovative Bank in Africa - EMEA Finance Awards
  • Best Mobile Banking App - Digital Banker Africa Awards
  • Best IT Risk and Security Initiatives of the Year - International Centre for Strategic Alliances.
  • Outstanding Female Friendly Bank of the Year - Women in Marketing and Communications Conference/Awards(WIMCA)  
  • Bank of the Decade, Editor's Choice -THISDAY
2019
  • Marketing World Awards 2019 - Financial Brand of the Year 
  • Federal Government Award of Excellence - Outstanding MSME Clinics partners 
  • Winner of the 2019 Karlsruhe Sustainable Finance Awards - Outstanding Business Sustainability Achievement
  • Winner of the 2019 Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award - Outstanding Healthcare SME-Friendly Bank of the Year
  • Women's Market Champion - Global Business Alliance (GBA)
  • Ethical Board Room- Special Recognition Award in Sustainability Banking in Africa
  • CEO Awards Forum- Gender Leader of the year
  • World Finance Award for Best Digital Bank in Nigeria
  • World Finance Award for Best Mobile App in Nigeria
  • Brandcom Award for Best Brand in Sustainability
  • Brandcom Award for SME Friendly Brand of Nigeria
  • Ethical Boardroom Award for Best Corporate Governance, Financial Services, Africa
Archives
2019
  • Marketing World Awards 2019 - Financial Brand of the Year 
  • Federal Government Award of Excellence - Outstanding MSME Clinics partners 
  • Winner of the 2019 Karlsruhe Sustainable Finance Awards - Outstanding Business Sustainability Achievement
  • Winner of the 2019 Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award - Outstanding Healthcare SME-Friendly Bank of the Year
  • Women's Market Champion - Global Business Alliance (GBA)
  • Ethical Board Room- Special Recognition Award in Sustainability Banking in Africa
  • CEO Awards Forum- Gender Leader of the year
  • World Finance Award for Best Digital Bank in Nigeria
  • World Finance Award for Best Mobile App in Nigeria
  • Brandcom Award for Best Brand in Sustainability
  • Brandcom Award for SME Friendly Brand of Nigeria
  • Ethical Boardroom Award for Best Corporate Governance, Financial Services, Africa
 
2018
  • Winner of the 2018 Most Responsible Business in Africa - SERAs.
  • Winner of the 2018 Best Partnership for Development- SERAs.
  • Winner of the 2018 Best Corporate Communication Team- SERAs.
  • Winner of the 2018 Sustainability Practitioner of the Year- SERAs.
  • Global Banking and Finance Review Award 2018 - Best Bank Investor Relations.
  • Outstanding Business Sustainability - Karlsruhe Sustainable Finance Awards 2018
  • Outstanding Sustainability Leader of the Year - Karlsruhe Sustainable Finance Awards 2018
  • Most Sustainable Bank, Nigeria – World Finance Awards 2018
  • Africa’s Best Bank for Corporate Social Responsibility – Euromoney Awards 2018
  • Outstanding CSR Health Project of the Year - Nigerian Health Care Awards 2018
  • Africa Clean-up Award 2018
  • Award for “Compliance, Excellence and Professionalism in Safety Standards at Workplaces” – The Lagos State Safety Commission Award.
 
2017
  • Sustainable Bank of the Year - CBN Sustainability Awards 
  • Sustainable Transaction of the Year (Oil and Gas Sector) - CBN Sustainability Awards 
  • Sustainable Transaction of the Year (Agriculture) - CBN Sustainability Awards 
  • Excellence in Women Economic Empowerment - CBN Sustainability Awards 
  • Outstanding Business Sustainability Achievement Award 2017 - Karlsruhe Sustainable Finance Awards
  • Most Sustainable Bank Award - World Finance
  • Corporate Achievement Award for Promoting Financial Literacy - Financial Literacy Excellence (FiLEX)
  • Best Company in Climate Action - Sustainability, Enterprise and Responsibility Awards (SERAs)
  • Best Company CSR/Sustainability West Africa - Sustainability, Enterprise and Responsibility Awards (SERAs)
  • The Most Socially Responsible Company of the Year (Overall Winner) - Sustainability, Enterprise and Responsibility Awards (SERAs)
  • Sustainability Champion of the Year: (Dr. Herbert Wigwe) - Sustainability, Enterprise and Responsibility Awards (SERAs)
  • Most Outstanding CSR Practitioner of the Year: (Omobolanle Victor–Laniyan) - Sustainability, Enterprise and Responsibility Awards (SERAs)
  • Women’s Market Champion - Global Banking Alliance
 
2016
  • Best Bank of The Year Award - Business Day Awards 2016 - CIBN Awards
  • Best Bank Academy - CIBN Awards
  • 2016 Euromoney Best Bank Transformation Award
  • The 2016 Karlsruhe Outstanding Business Sustainability Award
  • African Banking Awards 2016 'Best Bank in Nigeria' - EMEA Finance
  • African Banking Awards 2016 'Corporate Social Responsibility' (Pan-African) - EMEA Finance
  • African Banking Awards 2016  'CEO of the year' (Pan-African) - EMEAFinance

2015
  • Excellence Recognition Awards (2015 Bank of the Year Access Bank Plc)
  • National Union of Banks, Insurance & Financial Institutions Employees (Labour Friendly Award)
  • ACAMS Nigeria Chapter (Outstanding contribution to anti-money laundering/combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) Regime in Nigeria)
  • Businessday Top 100 Most Respected companies in Nigeria 2015
  • Banker Africa - West Africa Awards (2015 Best Corporate Bank)

2014
  • Financial Institution Award
    (Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria - PETAN)
    Access Bank emerged as the winner of the 2014 Financial Institution Award, organised by the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN). The award is recognition for the Bank's financial contribution to the development of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry
  • Credit Card Product of the Year
    (Intermarc Consulting Limited)
    Access Bank emerged overall winner in the ‘Credit Card Product of the Year’ category at the annual Card and e-Payment Africa Awards ceremony held at Sandton Johannesburg, South Africa. The award is recognition for the Bank's investment in its card products and channel services, creativity, innovation and value to its customers

2013
  • Risk Management Award
    (ConradClark Nigeria, Business Day, UK Institute of Risk Management)
    The Bank was judged the Overall Winner in the Banking and Investments Services category at the 2013  Nigerian Risk Awards ceremony. The award, organized by Conrad Clark Nigeria in collaboration with Business Day and the UK Institute of Risk Management, was in recognition of the Bank’s measurable results through the effective implementation of enterprise risk management principles
  • Winner, Website Effectiveness Award
    (Web Jurist, Philips Consulting)
    Access Bank website was adjudged overall winner of the 2013 edition of the Web-Jurist ‘Website Effectiveness Award’ conducted by Philips Consulting.  Access Bank website was adjudged best in the technical aspects which included Navigation, Functionality and Security. Also the website was declared winner in the Website Content that had metrics such as Accuracy and Presentation

2012
  • Africa’s Top M&A Deal of the Year
    (The Banker Magazine)
    The Banker Magazine, a member of the Financial Times stable of publications, selected the Access Bank and Intercontinental Bank deal as the “2012 Mergers and Acquisitions Deal of the Year” for Africa. The acquisition has substantially changed the face of the Nigeria banking sector as Access Bank entered into the top tier, which previously comprised First Bank, Zenith Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank (GT Bank) and United Bank for Africa, (UBA)

2011
  • Best FT Sustainable Bank of the year
    (FT Sustainable Banking Award)
    Access Bank Plc won the 2011 FT/IFC “Sustainable Bank of the Year Award” for Africa and Middle East region. The Bank was presented with the award at the Financial Times/IFC Sustainable Finance Gala Dinner in London attended by senior decision-makers in finance and sustainability
 
  • June 2011
    Aig was made the co-chairman of Global Business Coalition Health (GBCH)
 
  • May 2011
    Access Bank, Intercontinental merger adjudged Africa's top M&A deal of the year
 
  • June 2011
    Aig was made the co-chairman of Global Business Coalition Health (GBCH)
 
  • May 2011
    Access Bank was given an Award insignia by GBC for reaching the finalist stage of the “GBC Award for Business Action on Health”
 
  • April 2011
    Access Bank was awarded a “Big Tick in the community’s Award for excellence 2011” by BITC. A National award for companies who have demonstrated a significant impact in making responsible business an integral part of what they do and are the most recognized endorsement of responsible practice
 
  • October 2010
    African Banker Award for the Socially Responsible Bank of the Year
 
  • November 2009
    - Lagos Bankers Clearing House representative merit award for being 1st in punctuality at the Lagos clearing House
    - Lagos Bankers Clearing House representative merit award for being 3rd position in Error Free Transmission year 2009
    - Lagos Bankers Clearing House representative Award of Recognition presented to     -The Managing Director in recognition of his great contributions towards clearing House Operations for the year 2009/2010
 
  • October 2009
    Appreciation Award from International Center for Leadership “In appreciation of the Bank’s collaboration for developing the police workforce in Nigeria”
 
  • September 2009
    - “Best Bank in Staff Development” Lagos Enterprise Awards
    - SERA Awards for “Most improved CSR Company of the year”
    - USL won “Best Automated Share Registration & Data Mgt Consulting Firm 2009” by the Institute of Direct Marketing of Nigeria
 
  • February 2009
    Management Review Limited Award for Enterprise Transformation (2009) in recognition of the Management’s ability to resuscitate a near collapse institution and grow it into a high flying mega bank
 
  • November 2008
    Emerged winner of the International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) Award for the “Best Global Trade Finance Bank”
 
  • October 2008
    Won the “Most Innovative Bank” Award at the Global Banking Alliance for women Summit in London
 
  • September 2008
    Awarded “Best Telecomm Financing Bank of the Year” Nigerian Telecoms Award 2008
 
  • May 2008
    Won the “Auto Finance Bank of the Year 2007” at the 3rd Nigeria Auto Awards
 
  • April 2008
    Won the “Best Gender Responsive Bank” at the Nigerian Bankers Award
 
  • February 2008
    Awarded “Brand of the Year” by Thisday Annual Award
 
  • September 2007
    Received the Fortune and Class Enterprise Awards 2007 for "Best Annual Report for 2006/2007”
 
  • August 2007
    Awarded "Best Telecoms Financing Bank of the Year" by the Nigeria Telecoms Awards
 
  • June 2007
    Received award in "Innovative Trade Structure from the IFC
 
  • March 2007
    Awarded Most innovative Product for Online Shipping Document Tracker by National Maritime Quality Service Award
 
  • February 2007
    Awarded 3rd Position for Customer Services Excellence by KPMG (Nigerian Banking Industry Customer Service Survey)
 
  • February 2006
    Awarded the “Most Improved Bank of the Year” by ThisDay Newspaper.

Latest News

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