Access Bank has been recognized as the ‘Best Trade Partner Bank West Africa 2024’ by the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The award was presented at the Global Trade Partners Meeting (GTPM), held from May 7-9, 2024, in Barcelona, Spain. This recognition underscores Access Bank's notable performance and commitment to advancing trade finance across the continent.
The GTPM, organized by the IFC, is a significant event in the global trade finance industry. It marked the 20th anniversary of IFC’s Global Trade Finance Program and attracted a record number of delegates. Prominent speakers and panelists provided valuable insights into the global trade landscape during the event.
Seyi Kumapayi, Executive Director of African Subsidiaries at Access Bank, commented on the award: “We are honoured to receive this award from IFC, which is a testament to our relentless efforts in leveraging our extensive network across Africa to scale trade opportunities between the continent and the rest of the world. Access Bank remains committed to facilitating trade that drives economic growth and prosperity for our stakeholders and the regions we serve.”
Representatives from Access Bank attending GTPM included Sunmbo Olatunji, Group Head of Treasury; Tosin Olatunji, Group Head of Corporate Operations; Seun Olufeko, Group Head of Project and Structured Finance in Corporate and Investment Banking Division (CIBD); Oluchukwu Kalu, Team Member PSF at CIBD; and Rowly Isioro, Head of Trade and Global Transaction Banking (Africa). Isioro also participated in a panel discussion titled ‘IFC: 20 Years in Trade, Partnerships and Perspectives.’
During his panel remarks, Isioro highlighted building resilient trade finance systems in emerging markets. He noted how IFC’s Global Trade Finance Program has evolved over time: “Africa is ripe for partnerships that can drive substantial economic growth,” he said.
“At Access Bank,” he added, “we are dedicated to developing innovative solutions that tackle unique challenges faced by African businesses such as currency volatility and regulatory complexities. By strengthening our trade finance infrastructure and leveraging our subsidiaries strategically spread across Africa’s key trade blocs – we aim to facilitate smoother trade flows and empower our clients to seize global opportunities effectively.”
The GTPM Barcelona 2024 featured contributions from internationally renowned speakers including Marc Auboin from the World Trade Organisation; Alexia Boutin-Somnolet from Marsh; Gonzalo Gortázar from CaixaBank; Nathalie Louat from IFC; and Paolo Mauro from IFC's Economic and Market Research Department. The event concluded with a Gala Awards Dinner celebrating both its high-performing partners in trade finance.
Alerts Sign-up