Access Bank to Host Pioneering Africa Trade Conference in Cape Town

Access Bank to Host Pioneering Africa Trade Conference in Cape Town

Cape Town, South Africa – January 29, 2025: Access Bank PLC is set to host its firstever Africa Trade Conference (ATC), a landmark event focused on advancing Africa’s

economic transformation under the theme, ‘Empowering Africa Through Trade,

Innovation, and Sustainable Growth’. Scheduled for March 12, 2025, in Cape Town,

South Africa, the conference is poised to bring together the most influential voices in

trade, finance, and policy to address the future of commerce across the continent.

With Africa’s trade finance gap estimated at $81 billion annually, the conference aims to

tackle the systemic challenges hindering trade, particularly for SMEs and domestic firms.

By fostering collaboration among key stakeholders, the Conference will explore

innovative solutions, sustainable trade practices, and strategies for expanding African

economies into global value chains.

Roosevelt Ogbonna, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Access

Bank PLC, emphasised the importance of the Africa Trade Conference, in addressing

these pressing issues. “The Africa Trade Conference represents a crucial step in

redefining Africa’s trade potential. By creating platforms for dialogue, innovation, and

actionable solutions, Access Bank is enabling African businesses to connect and thrive

in the global economy.”

Access Bank’s presence across 24 countries globally, including 16 in Africa, provides a

unique advantage in facilitating inter- and intra-African trade. The Bank’s growing

network positions it as a key player in addressing trade complexities and promoting

inclusive growth across the continent.

Seyi Kumapayi, Executive Director, African Subsidiaries, Access Bank, highlighted

the broader vision of the forum, saying, “The Africa Trade Conference is a platform to

not only address Africa’s trade challenges, but to champion the continent’s opportunities.

Through strategic partnerships, tailored financial solutions, built on the ethos of

sustainability, we are paving the way for Africa’s businesses to take their place on the

global stage.”

This flagship event will convene a distinguished line-up of seasoned speakers, and top

executives from leading international banks, Development Finance Institutions (DFIs),

and captains of industry in Africa.

The ATC will also shine a spotlight on the transformative potential of the Africa

Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to reduce trade barriers, enhance

infrastructure, and integrate African economies into global trade networks. Furthermore,

the event will explore critical themes shaping the continent’s economic future, including

the transformative role of digitisation and innovation in global trade, solutions for

overcoming trade barriers to enhance market access, as well as sustainable trade

practices and innovative financing models, thereby providing a comprehensive roadmap

for advancing Africa’s position in global commerce.

Please visit

https://africatradeconference.accessbankplc.com/ for more information.

###

About Access Bank PLC

Access Bank PLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Access Holdings PLC, is a leading fullservice commercial bank operating through a network of more than 700 branches and

service outlets spanning 3 continents, 24 countries and over 60 million customers. The

Bank employs over 28,000 people in its operations in Africa and Europe, with

representative offices in China, Lebanon, India, and the UAE.

Access Bank’s parent company, Access Holdings PLC, has been listed on the Nigerian

Stock Exchange since 1998. The Bank is a diversified financial institution which

combines a strong retail customer franchise and digital platform with deep corporate

banking expertise, proven risk management and capital management capabilities. The

Bank services its various markets through three key business segments: Corporate and

Investment Banking, Commercial Banking, and Retail Banking. The Bank has enjoyed

what is arguably Africa’s most successful banking growth trajectory in the last 18 years,

becoming one of the continent’s largest retail banks.

As part of its continued growth strategy, Access Bank is focused on mainstreaming

sustainable business practices into its operations. The Bank strives to deliver sustainable

economic growth that is profitable, environmentally responsible, and socially relevant,

helping customers to access more and achieve their dreams.