Access Bank Plc has secured a $100 million senior loan facility from a group of global Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), led by Germany’s DEG – Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH. The funding is targeted at supporting Nigeria’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), with a significant portion allocated to women-led businesses.
Other partners in the financing round include FinDev Canada, Austrian DFI OeEB (Oesterreichische Entwicklungsbank AG), and Amsterdam-based asset manager ILX.
At least 30 percent of the funding will be deployed through a gender-lens investment framework aligned with the 2X Challenge—an initiative that champions women’s economic empowerment. The facility is designed to promote inclusive economic growth by enhancing access to finance for underserved businesses, especially those owned or led by women.
Roosevelt Ogbonna, Group Managing Director of Access Bank Plc, described the facility as a strategic step towards deepening support for Nigeria’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
“At Access Bank, we are committed to empowering women and small businesses to drive inclusive growth across Africa. This partnership reflects our long-term vision of creating economic opportunities, enhancing financial inclusion, and supporting communities through access to finance,” he said.
The agreement marks the fourth collaboration between Access Bank and DEG. However, this is the first time DEG has led the arrangement of such a facility in the eight-year partnership. DEG is contributing $25 million to the deal, signaling growing confidence in Access Bank’s ability to deliver results on the continent.
Roland Siller, CEO of DEG, said the financing is part of the institution’s mission to strengthen private sector growth in emerging markets.
“By backing Access Bank, we’re supporting small businesses, promoting female entrepreneurship, and contributing to job creation and innovation in Nigeria. This partnership is about sustainable development through impactful investment,” he stated.
Access Bank has emerged as one of Africa’s leading champions of social impact. In 2024, the bank said it reached more than 21 million people across the continent through its initiatives in health, education, entrepreneurship, and environmental sustainability. Its flagship W-Initiative has extended funding to over one million women-led SMEs.
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