Access Bank has unveiled its Power of 100 Africa initiative, which aims to empower 100 female entrepreneurs across 16 African countries. The announcement came from Chizoma Okoli, Deputy Managing Director of Access Bank, during a press conference in Lagos.
Okoli stressed the significance of supporting women leaders throughout the continent, asserting that empowering women has always been a top priority for the bank. “We have done everything in a transparent and ethical form. This initiative reflects our dedication to empowering women, and we believe it will inspire the next generation of female leaders across Africa,” she said.
The project is designed to create positive change in the communities led by these women. The selected countries include Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zambia.
Okoli noted the initiative’s goal is to highlight female pioneers who have broken barriers and inspired others through their leadership. Abiodun Olubitan, Group Head of Women Initiative and Emerging Businesses at Access Bank, emphasized the initiative’s role in supporting women in business. “We believe that women are the bedrock of the business and market space, and this initiative aligns with our broader vision of promoting leadership and fostering innovation. Empowering female entrepreneurs is critical to driving economic growth across Africa,” Olubitan stated.
The nomination process is open to the public, as explained by Utobong Hughes, Senior Manager in the Business Advisory Services Group at Andersen in Nigeria. Nominations can be submitted via an online platform specifically created for the Power of 100 Africa project. “Nominees should be women who have had positive impacts, are pioneers in their field, or have broken new ground in their industry,” Hughes explained. The streamlined nomination process encourages the public to nominate deserving women from the selected countries.
Omosalewa Fajobi, Non-Executive Director of Access Bank, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to promoting female leadership. She clarified that posthumous recognitions would not be made, and past honorees from the 2015 edition are ineligible for this year’s awards. “We believe in women and their ability to create meaningful change. This initiative will not only recognize their contributions but also encourage the younger generation to aspire to leadership roles,” Fajobi concluded.
Through the Power of 100 Africa initiative, Access Bank aims to foster gender equality and leadership across the continent, creating a lasting impact on the business landscape in Africa.
