The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, and Access Holdings Plc have signed a partnership agreement to expand trade finance, support enterprise growth and improve African businesses’ access to regional and international markets.
The partnership is expected to strengthen Access Group’s capacity to finance businesses, facilitate cross-border trade and promote sustainable economic growth across its markets.
The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the Africa Financial Industry Summit (AFIS) 2026 in Luanda, Angola, on November 4, 2026.
It also forms part of Access Holdings’ broader capital-raising programme aimed at attracting development finance institutions and other investors to support the Group’s growth.
The agreement was signed by Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Chairman of Access Holdings; Ethiopis Tafara, IFC Regional Vice President for Africa; and Roosevelt Ogbonna, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank Plc.
Under the partnership, IFC’s investment is expected to strengthen the Group’s capital base, enabling it to sustain and expand financing for businesses and trade activities that drive economic growth across Africa.
Commenting on the transaction, Aig-Imoukhuede said the partnership reflected a shared commitment to strengthening African financial institutions and supporting the continent’s economic development.
“Our partnership with IFC has always been anchored on a shared belief that strong African financial institutions are essential to Africa’s growth. This investment is a vote of confidence in the institution we have built and in the direction we are taking it,” he said.
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He added that having established a significant presence across Africa, the Group was now focused on converting its scale into value for businesses, trade and the communities it serves.
“Strengthening Access Group’s capital base deepens its role as a bridge between Africa and global markets, enabling us to mobilise more trade finance and investment for African enterprises,” he said.
Aig-Imoukhuede described the transaction as an important step in the Group’s efforts to attract long-term investment to support disciplined and sustainable growth.
Also speaking, Tafara said expanding access to trade finance was critical to helping African businesses grow, enter new markets and create jobs.
“Across the World Bank Group, we are working to mobilise private capital, strengthen financial markets and create the conditions for private sector-led growth.
“This partnership with Access Group will help channel more financing to businesses across the continent and translate Africa’s entrepreneurial potential into greater economic opportunity,” he said.
For the IFC, the partnership aligns with its strategy of mobilising private capital and working with financial institutions to improve access to finance, strengthen markets and create opportunities for businesses to expand and generate employment.
