In a major milestone for inclusive financing in Nigeria, Access Bank Plc has secured a USD 100 million senior loan facility from a consortium of Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) led by Germany’s DEG – Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH, alongside FinDev Canada, ILX (Netherlands), and Austria’s OeEB – Oesterreichische Entwicklungsbank AG.
This strategic facility is aimed at scaling support for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), small corporates, and family-owned businesses across Nigeria, with 30% of the funds allocated to gender-lens investing under the 2X Challenge, a global initiative to advance women’s economic empowerment.
Empowering Women and Strengthening MSMEs
The facility will fuel Access Bank’s growing impact across Nigeria’s entrepreneurial landscape, particularly among women-owned and women-managed businesses, helping to bridge funding gaps, drive job creation, and boost inclusive economic development.
“At Access Bank, we remain steadfast in our commitment to driving economic transformation and fostering inclusive growth across all the countries we operate,” said Roosevelt Ogbonna, Group Managing Director of Access Bank Plc.
“This partnership strengthens our ongoing efforts to empower women in business and reinforces our support for Nigeria’s MSME sector, which is pivotal to the country’s development.”
A Milestone Collaboration
While this marks the fourth collaboration between DEG and Access Bank Group, it is the first time DEG is serving as lead arranger, contributing USD 25 million to the total facility. The move highlights the growing synergy and trust between both institutions, who share a commitment to sustainable growth in emerging markets.
“This financing marks a major step in our ongoing commitment to supporting inclusive growth in Africa,” said Roland Siller, CEO of DEG.
“By partnering with Access Bank, we are empowering women entrepreneurs and strengthening MSMEs—investing in the future of Nigeria’s economy. Our collaboration goes beyond capital—it is about building resilient, innovative ecosystems.”
Widening Impact Across Africa
The announcement comes on the heels of a successful 2024 for Access Bank, during which the Group recorded wide-reaching social and environmental impact across the continent. Through initiatives spanning education, health, entrepreneurship, and the environment, the Bank reached over 21 million individuals across Africa.
Its flagship W-Initiative remains a cornerstone for advancing financial inclusion for women, with over one million women-led SMEs receiving loans through the platform.
This latest facility reinforces Access Bank’s position as a catalyst for inclusive finance and sustainable development across Africa.
