Access Bank Joins NGX to Launch Impact Board
Access Bank Plc, Nigeria’s leading institution in
sustainable finance, was one of the participants in the launch of the Nigerian Exchange
Limited (NGX) Impact Board, a dedicated platform for listing sustainability instruments
to integrate sustainability into the core of Nigeria’s capital market.
The event, marked by the attendance of high-profile stakeholders, including the
Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, and the Director-General of the Securities
and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr. Emomotimi Agama, underscored the critical
need for sustainable financing in Nigeria. Lawal emphasised the urgency of addressing
environmental challenges, stating, “With issues like flooding, pollution, and
deforestation, we urgently need funds to tackle them. This is why we are approaching
the market.”
Commenting on the launch of the Impact Board, Gregory Jobome, Executive Director,
Risk Management at Access Bank Plc, highlighted the Bank's pioneering role in
sustainable finance, noting, “As a leader in the issuance of corporate Green Bonds in
Africa, Access Bank is committed to driving environmental sustainability and supporting
projects that align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The NGX Impact
Board is a significant step towards fostering a greener and more responsible
investment landscape.”
The Director-General of the SEC, Dr. Emomotimi Agama, reaffirmed the commission’s
support for sustainable finance, saying, “We are ready to bolster the sustainable
finance market, aiming to deepen it with diverse instruments that contribute to Nigeria’s
sustainable development.”
Dr. Umaru Kwairanga, Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group, expressed
confidence the NGX’s capabilities, stating, “We possess the capacity, resources, and
technology to raise the funds required by the Federal Ministry of Environment and the
Nigerian economy to achieve the goals outlined in the Paris Agreement and the
Sustainable Development Goals.”
Access Bank has consistently demonstrated leadership in climate finance across
Africa, exemplifying a strong commitment to sustainable environmental practices and
financial solutions. In June 2018, the Bank supported the Green Bond Market
Development Programme organised by FSD Africa, the Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI),
and FMDQ Group PLC, aiming to develop a non-sovereign green bond market in
Nigeria. This initiative sought to entrench sustainability principles into the Nigerian
www.accessbankplc.com
capital markets and support broader debt capital market reforms to facilitate the
transition to a climate-resilient economy.
In April 2019, Access Bank issued its inaugural green bond, valued at NGN 15 billion
(USD 41 million), becoming the first African corporate entity to receive CBI certification.
The bond, listed on multiple exchanges including the FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange,
Nigerian Stock Exchange, and Luxembourg Green Exchange, set the tone for the
continent's appetite for green capital. Building on this success, the Bank issued USD
50 million Reg S Step-Up Green Notes in 2022 under its US$1.5 billion Global
Medium-Term Note Programme, further solidifying its commitment to sustainable
financing.
