Access Bank has introduced its “Power of 100 Africa” initiative, a program aimed at supporting 100 female entrepreneurs across 16 African nations. The bank’s Deputy Managing Director, Chizoma Okoli, announced the initiative at a press event in Lagos, emphasizing the bank’s long-standing commitment to women’s empowerment.
“This initiative reflects our dedication to empowering women, and we believe it will inspire the next generation of female leaders across Africa,” Okoli stated. The project aims to foster positive change in communities where these women lead, spotlighting those who have broken barriers, driven innovation, and inspired others through their leadership.
Project Highlights and Key Contributors
The “Power of 100 Africa” project will operate in several countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zambia, focusing on recognizing pioneering women in business. Abiodun Olubitan, Access Bank’s Group Head of Women Initiative and Emerging Businesses, stressed the importance of female entrepreneurship, noting that it is vital for economic growth across Africa.
The nomination process for the initiative, managed by Utobong Hughes, Senior Manager in Business Advisory Services at Andersen Nigeria, is open to the public through an online platform. Nominees should be women who have positively impacted their communities, pioneered new fields, or set milestones in their industries.
Omosalewa Fajobi, Non-Executive Director of Access Bank, reiterated the bank’s commitment to promoting female leadership across the continent. She emphasized that the program would not only honor these women’s contributions but also encourage young African women to aspire to leadership roles, fostering a legacy of impactful female leaders across Africa.
