The Desk is a fall out of the development banking team which
has the responsibility of managing Non-Profit organisations and institutions
and has been operating in the bank for over ten years and still counting.
This initiative is in line with the bank’s vision of being
the world’ most respected African bank with an unwavering dedication and
commitment to fostering positive change, herald development and making a
lasting impact in the finance, business, community, organisations, and industry
it serves by solidifying its status as a key development finance leader and
partner for non-profit organisations and institutions on the continent.
Speaking to journalists at a recent press conference held at
the Bank’s head office in Lagos, Hadiza Ambursa, Executive Director of the
Commercial Bank Division at Access Bank, expressed enthusiasm about the
revamped Development Desk and its potential impact on Nigeria’s economic
landscape.
She stated: “Our vision is to drive economic empowerment and
financial inclusion by providing specialised financial products and services to
businesses, NGOs and institutions. Through this initiative, we aim to support
and nurture the growth of these entities, fostering a robust entrepreneurial
ecosystem in Nigeria and beyond.”
“As the foremost financial powerhouse, we hope to achieve
our audacious goals in Development Banking as a preferred banking partner for
the non-for-profit organisations already in Nigeria and all other Countries
where we have presence and those hoping to come by helping to boost bilateral
and multilateral banking relationships, manage the donor funds and the programs
the funds are meant for, support projects and initiatives that are channelled
towards the common good of the public like charitable activities, climate
change, poverty reduction, improved
quality of education, improved health and to play a crucial role in financing
projects that contribute to achieving the bank’s goals as well as creating a
one stop shop for the unique needs of Not-For-Profit sector.
“Also, our dedicated team will assist in writing bespoke
proposals for the NGOs and based on market insights we would create new product
offerings such as corporate accounts with concessions, conditional cash
transfers, primus-plus, Advisory services and services that would resolve new
problems arising with the changing market climate while we sustain the desk
with data driven market intelligence that will constantly improve our
day-to-day collaboration with relevant agencies and engage the relevant stakeholders
to understand their challenges, concerns and opportunities to co-create
financial solutions that will meet the unique emerging needs of the
not-for-profit organisation in Nigeria and indeed across the African continent
just as we will advocate for regulatory reforms that best support developmental
initiatives and give quality advisory services.”
In the same vein, Head, Development Banking Desk, Ambur
Sule, said “The Development Desk serves as a conduit for global funds and
resources, bolstering the bank’s influence in the African region and fortifying
Nigeria’s position on the international development stage.’’
Ambur stressed that, “as we move toward a more
interconnected world, Access Bank’s role as a development finance leader and
partner becomes increasingly vital. Our collaborations with esteemed NGOs and
Institutions as a partner are instrumental in driving inclusive growth,
deepening financial inclusion, reducing poverty, and boosting infrastructure
development in Nigeria.”
Development Banking Desk is a specialised desk within Access
Bank mandated to provide exclusive financial support to Non-Profit
Organisations such as International Non-Governmental Organisations,
Non-Governmental Organisations, Bilateral and Multilateral Institutions, Donor
Agencies, Embassies among others, who strategically carry out projects and
initiatives that are geared towards social progress, impact, and economic
development.
Parallel to its achievements in corporate and commercial
banking, Access Bank’s Development Desk has set the stage for strategic global
partnerships and collaborations that will significantly contribute to Nigeria’s
overall development as the Development Banking team and Desk work together with
Sustainability team to strictly deal with businesses that comply with the 17
sustainable Development Goals.