In a major push to deepen financial inclusion and expand women’s participation in banking, Access Bank Plc has partnered with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and MicroSave Consulting (MSC) to train and empower 50,000 female banking agents across Nigeria. The three-year initiative, titled Scaling Female Agent Networks in Nigeria, was formally announced during a press briefing held in Lagos on Thursday.
The programme is targeted at increasing the presence and capacity of female agents, especially in underserved rural communities in Northern and Central Nigeria. It seeks to provide women with essential training, financial support, and digital tools to serve as reliable agents in their local economies.
Representatives from all three organizations highlighted the significant role that women play in expanding access to financial services. Akshat Pathak, Associate Partner at MSC, emphasized the value of female-led agent networks in driving trust and inclusion among women in low-income areas. “Research from Bangladesh, India, and Ethiopia shows that female customers are more confident and open when engaging with women agents—not just for transactions but for financial guidance,” he said.
Pathak also explained that the initiative would generate valuable gender-disaggregated data to shape future policies and market interventions aimed at improving the financial ecosystem for women.
Access Bank, which has long championed female participation in banking services, reiterated its commitment to long-term, sustainable impact. “All of the projects we do are here for the long term,” said Robert Giles, Senior Retail Advisor at the bank. “We practise sustainable banking principles to deliver better outcomes for our agents, who are also our customers.”
Giles acknowledged the growing preference among Nigerians, particularly women, to engage with local banking agents rather than visiting traditional bank branches. “It saves time and enables people to go about their daily businesses without interruption,” he said.
Chizoba Iheme, Access Bank’s Group Head of Agency Banking and Financial Inclusion, disclosed that the bank would support participating women with training, working capital loans, and tools to improve service delivery. She noted that Access Bank had already achieved over 70 percent female participation in its agent network since launching its support for women in agency banking in 2013.
The project is also designed to address infrastructural barriers that disproportionately affect rural agents. With many remote communities facing electricity shortages, the partners are exploring off-grid solutions such as solar-powered tools to keep agents connected and functional. “While Nigeria continues to work towards full electrification, we are planning solar alternatives to support agents in off-grid areas,” Pathak stated.
The Gates Foundation, which is funding the initiative, will also play an advisory and monitoring role to ensure strategic alignment and sustained results. The foundation has been actively supporting initiatives that drive financial inclusion and economic empowerment for women globally.
This new partnership is part of a broader effort by Access Bank to support economic participation in underserved communities. Recently, the bank announced a nationwide SME Business Clinic in partnership with global consultancy firm Deloitte to strengthen Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises.
By focusing on empowering women and scaling access to financial services, the Scaling Female Agent Networks project reflects a broader shift in how banks and development organisations are working together to bridge inequality and drive inclusive economic growth in Africa.
