Our Credentials

Our efforts towards the sustainable development of the Nigerian and African financial ecosystem has earned us local and international recognition.

Awards and Recognitions

  • In 2008, we were awarded Brand of the Year by This Day. We won the Best Gender 

    Responsive Bank” at the Nigerian Bankers’ Awards, and also emerged as the winner of the 

    International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) Award for the Best Global Trade Finance Bank. 

    Other awards we won in 2008 included the Auto Finance Bank of the Year 2007 at the third 

    Nigeria Auto Awards; Best Telecoms Financing Bank of the Year; Nigerian Telecoms Award 

    2008 and the Most Innovative Bank Award at the Global Banking Alliance for women 

    summit in London. 

  • In 2009, we received Management Review Limited’s Award for Enterprise Transformation in 

    recognition of our management’s ability to resuscitate a near-collapsed institution and grow 

    it into a high-flying bank. That year, we also received a commendation from the Economic 

    and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for pioneering and developing the Anti-Money 

    Laundering (AML) Solution. We were also nominated for the Financial Times Sustainable 

    Banking Awards, in the Emerging Markets Sustainable Bank of the Year category. Our entry was selected from a total of 165 entries received from 117 institutions across 42 countries. 

  • In 2010, we were awarded the Big Tick award for our work in local communities. We also 

    received the prestigious Financial Times/International Finance Corporation’s Sustainable 

    Bank of the Year Award for entire Africa and Middle East region. 

  • In May 2011, at the 4th International Finance Corporation’s Global Trade Finance Program 

    (GTFP) Bank Partners meeting held in Istanbul, Turkey, we won (for the fourth consecutive 

    time) the Issuing Bank Award under the Global Trade Finance Program and a second 

    award as the Most Active GTFP Issuing Bank in Africa. Also in 2011, we received the Lagos 

    State Corporate Social Responsibility Gold Award for our contribution to economic 

    development and social transformation of Lagos State in the areas of HIV/AIDS, social 

    development and education. We also won the World Finance Environmental and Social 

    Governance (ESG) Award as the 2011 Best ESG Asset Manager in Nigeria, as well as the 

    Ecofest Green Initiative Award in recognition of our innovative community initiatives and 

    thought leadership in business sustainability and community support. 

  • In 2012, we were awarded the “Best Bank in West Africa” by African Banker Awards. Other 

    recognitions we received in 2012 included the IFC’s “Most Active Issuing Bank in 

    sub-Saharan Africa”; Business in the Community (BITC) “Big Tick Award”; the Nigeria 

    SERAs (Social Enterprise Report and Awards) for the Most Socially Responsible Company 

    and for Fair Operating Practices, and the “Honorary Award for Championing the Nigerian 

    Sustainable Banking Principles”. 

  • Between 2013 and 2014, we also received a number of awards and recognitions. The 

    GMD/CEO, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede was awarded the African Banker of the Year by the 

    African Banker Awards in 2013. In April 2014, we were adjudged the best Nigerian 

    company in Corporate Citizenship in the first ever competitive index on corporate social 

    responsibility in Nigeria by CSR-in-Action. In May 2014, we were recognized as a Gold 

    Category Winner in Corporate Identity by The Communicator Awards. We also received the 

    Business Day Socially Responsible Lender of the Year 2014, as the most socially 

    responsible bank in Nigeria.

  • In 2015, we were adjudged “Header in Sustainability” by the Global Business Coalition on 

    Health. Our efforts on sustainability have also been rewarded by Intercontinental Finance 

    UK as the Bank recently emerged winner of the most sustainable bank, Nigeria.” 

  • In 2016, we have received the Karlsruhe Award from the European Organization for 

    Sustainable Development (EOSD). The Outstanding Business Sustainability Achievement 

    Award was awarded in recognition of the Bank’s outstanding success in incorporating 

    economic, social and environmental aspects in the corporate strategy and business 

    processes. We also received the World Finance Award for The Best Sustainable 

    Bank, in recognition of the Bank’s efforts and contribution in sustainability initiatives. We 

    received the EMEA Finance Award -Corporate Social Responsibility Award in recognition of 

    the Bank’s effort in this space. In addition to this award, the Bank also won the CEO of theYear Award, and the Best Bank Award (Nigeria). The 2016 EuroMoney Africa’s Best Bank 

    Transformation Award, the 2016 BusinessDay Best Bank Award and the 2016 Chartered 

    Institute of Bankers of Nigeria Best Bank Academy Award.

Memeberships and Partnerships

Companies characterized by unhealthy competition, or tense political environments are unlikely to benefit from collaboration initiatives. And of course, it is true that an organization’s willingness to collaborate and partner with others is indicative of a strong and positive corporate culture.

Over the years, Access Bank has developed strong alliances and partnerships with many leading organizations in the field of sustainability. These include:

United Nations Compact (UNGC)The UNGC is a global platform and an initiative of the UN established to encourage businesses to adopt fundamental principles in the areas of human rights, labour practices, environment and anticorruption
Nigerian Business Council on Sustainable Development (NBCSD)The NBCSD is a council of CEOs of pioneering companies committed to making a difference in the sustainable development of Nigeria. NBCSD brings the collective force and voice of the private sector to promote sustainable development practices in Nigeria.
Nigeria Sustainable Banking Principles (NSBP) Steering CommitteeThe NSBPs were created to enhance economically viable, socially equitable and environmentally sustainable practices in the Nigerian Banking sector. The NSBP Steering Committee coordinates industry collaboration toward the successful implementation of the NSBPs in Nigeria.
United Nations Environmental Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI)The UNEP FI is a collaborative initiative between UNEP and the global financial sector. UNEP FI works with its full range of partners to promote sustainable development through the financial industry players.
United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI)In partnership with the UNGC and the UNEP FI, the UNPRI is a United Nations-backed initiative, led by the investment community to encourage responsible environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations while making investment decisions
United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI)In partnership with the UNGC and the UNEP FI, the UNPRI is a United Nations-backed initiative, led by the investment community to encourage responsible environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations while making investment decisions
Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF)NCF is dedicated to nature conservation and sustainable development in Nigeria. NCF leads in promoting sustainable development through environmental conservation and natural resource management in Nigeria.
Nigeria Business Coalition Against AIDS (NIBUCAA)A network of companies working together to help member-companies and others to develop workplace programmes for preventing and combating HIV/AIDS.
Convention on Business Integrity (CBi)CBi works to empower individuals and institutions against corrupt practices. Its mission is to promote ethical business practices, transparency and healthy competition in the private and public sectors.
Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)The GRI is a global non-profit organisation that promotes corporate sustainability practices through sustainability reporting. GRI does this by releasing standards and principles on sustainability reporting
Equator Principles (EP)The Equator Principles are a framework for managing environmental and social risks in the financial sector. Over 80 financial institutions in over hundred countries have signed up to the Principles.
London Benchmarking Group (LBG)The LBG is a global network of organisations that are committed to community investment as a tool for sustainable development. These organisations use the LBG Model as a framework for measuring, managing and reporting the value, and the achievements, of the contributions they make to communities and the society.
GBCHealthA coalition of more than 230 companies working to improve the health of their workforces and communities around the world. Focus areas include reducing maternal, new-born and child mortality, and advancing efforts for combatting HIV, TB and malaria.
Corporate Alliance on Malaria in Africa (CAMA)CAMA is a group of private sector organisations with business interests in Africa. These organisations pool efforts to combat malaria in sub-Saharan Africa.
WeConnect InternationalWeConnect is a global non-profit organisation committed to sustainable development through women economic empowerment. WeConnect is a coalition of corporate members from over seventy (70) countries. WeConnect makes impact by encouraging, increasing and promoting opportunities for women-owned businesses.

Reporting and Disclosures

Access Bank operates in accordance with several guidelines to ensure continual high performance on sustainability, by implication, we are obligated to report to the following organizations:

Access Bank Reporting and Disclosures

  • NSBP: Performance against the nine Nigerian Sustainable Banking Principles
  • Equator Principles: Produce at least annually a public Equator Principles report, on transactions that have reached Financial Close and on its Equator Principles implementation processes and experience
  • UNEP-FI: Disclosure of environmental information and impacts in accordance with UNEPFI Principles
  • LBG: Accurately report London Benchmarking Group (LBG) data in the public domain
  • UNGC: Commitment to embed  UN Global Compact’s ten principles into business strategies and operations, and issue an annual Communication on Progress (COP), a public disclosure to stakeholders on progress, and in supporting broader UN development goals
  • IFC: Report client performance on eight IFC Standards on Environmental and Social Sustainability along project lifespan
  • Stakeholders: ‘Optional’ annual sustainability report covering performance (highly recommended)
  • Global Reporting Initiative: Optional adoption of key reporting standard to report in line with GRI guidelines

Economic Value

At Access Bank, we understand that it is our duty to facilitate and finance sustainable economic growth. Over the years, we have achieved this by leading the way on financial inclusion and education, helping develop a Sustainable economy. We are aware that the projects and deals we finance have significant impact on our local communities. Therefore, we embrace Sustainable finance that drives responsible economic practices in the communities we serve. Access Bank ensures it is attentive to the need for finance on Sustainability issues through some of its customized financial products and services which provide specialized financial assistance for Sustainable causes. Some of these banking products and services are described below:



  • Access NollyFund

    In 2016, Access Bank launched the N1 billion ‘AccessNolly’ fund, a new and innovative financial service aimed at improving and providing solutions for the Nigerian Movie industry. With a focus on Arts as one of our key focus areas for community investments, we pioneered this innovative financing solution to fill the gap that existed in the provision of financial support for the Arts through Film production in Nigeria. This fund will facilitate increased growth in the productivity of the Nigerian film and Arts industry. The Nigerian film industry is the third largest film industry in the world with annual revenue of $200 million which currently employs approximately one million people. By providing this N1 billion fund, Access Bank will facilitate the increase in profits for the Nigerian film industry, thereby increasing the GDP of the Nigerian economy. This creates economic impact that is sustainable and relevant.


  • Hospital Facility Upgrade Support Scheme (HFUSS)

    Inadequate skills, equipment and facilities have also been identified as one of the barriers to quality healthcare. In response to this need, Access Bank developed a financing scheme, Hospital Facility Upgrade Support Scheme (HFUSS), tailored to the needs of healthcare providers for the purchase of medical equipment and the expansion of their health facilities. Since its introduction, up to 30 hospitals have benefited from the financing scheme and have been able to expand their capacity to provide quality healthcare in Nigeria.


  • Maternal Health Service Support (MHSS)

    Maternal Health Service Support is a key component of the ‘W’ Initiative and it is a social impact product. In the quest to improve access to quality healthcare for women, we offer discounted financing for medical procedures peculiar to women through the first-of-its-kind 'Maternal Health Service Support'.

    The MHSS is designed to help women and families overcome barriers to good health and well-being. The service provides women with financing for Natal Support, Dental and Orthopaedic procedures, Weight loss procedures, various fertility treatments such as In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), Gestational Surrogacy, Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), Myomectomies, Hysterectomies, Endometriosis as well as other specialised procedures, which are carried out either locally or internationally. So far, over 50 babies have been conceived and birthed as a result of financial assistance from this initiative.

Get in Touch With Us

Do Call Us

Talk to us about how we could support your business, please call us on:
0700CallAccess (07002255222377), +234 1- 2712005-7, +234 1-2802500

Mon to Fri 9am - 5:30pm (excl. public holidays)

Latest News

Notice of the 35th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Access Bank PLC S&P Global Ratings Provides Aligned Opinion on Access Bank PLC's Sustainable Finance Framework Access Bank Plc (Access) enters into acquisition agreements with Standard Chartered Bank Access Bank launches the first American Express® Cards to be issued in Nigeria NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING