Access Bank Launches Initiative to Empower 100 Female Entrepreneurs 

Access Bank

Access Bank has launched the Power of 100 Africa initiative, aimed at empowering 100 female entrepreneurs across 16 African countries. This was announced by the bank’s Deputy Managing Director, Chizoma Okoli, during a press conference in Lagos. 

Supporting Women Leaders 

Okoli emphasized that empowering women has always been a priority for the bank. She explained that the initiative is designed to bring positive changes to communities led by these women. This initiative reflects our commitment to empowering women, and we believe it will inspire the next generation of female leaders across Africa,” Okoli said. The program will honour women from countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zambia. 

Celebrating Female Pioneers 

The goal of the Power of 100 Africa initiative is to recognize women who have broken barriers, created innovations, and inspired others through their leadership. Abiodun Olubitan, Group Head of Women Initiative and Emerging Businesses at Access Bank, added that supporting female entrepreneurs is critical to driving Africa’s economic growth. We believe that women are the backbone of the business world, and this initiative aligns with our vision of promoting leadership and fostering innovation,” Olubitan stated. 

Open Nomination Process 

The nomination process is open to the public. Utobong Hughes, Senior Manager at Andersen Nigeria, explained that nominations can be made via an online platform specifically set up for the Power of 100 Africa project. Nominees must come from one of the 16 selected countries and should be women who have made positive impacts or broken new ground in their industries. Hughes assured that the process is transparent and easy to follow. 

This initiative reflects our commitment to empowering women, and we believe it will inspire the next generation of female leaders across Africa.” — Chizoma Okoli, Deputy Managing Director of Access Bank 

Encouraging Future Leaders 

Non-Executive Director of Access Bank, Omosalewa Fajobi, highlighted the bank’s ongoing efforts to promote female leadership. She noted that posthumous recognitions and past honorees from the 2015 edition will not be considered for this year’s awards. We believe in women’s ability to create meaningful change, and this project will not only recognize their achievements but also encourage the younger generation to take on leadership roles,” Fajobi said. 

In conclusion, Access Bank’s Power of 100 Africa initiative is a bold step toward empowering female entrepreneurs across the continent. By recognizing and supporting women who are breaking barriers and driving innovation, the program not only highlights their achievements but also paves the way for future female leaders. This initiative reaffirms the bank’s commitment to gender equality and economic growth, aiming to create lasting positive impacts in African communities.