Access Bank, Birmingham varsity sign partnership

Access Bank, one of Africa’s leading financial institutions, and Birmingham City University, a prestigious UK-based academic institution, have announced a two-year strategic partnership aimed at promoting green financing, responsible lending, and support for SMEs.

The partnership, according to executives of the two institutions, also aims to promote sustainable business practices, with the goal of developing a comprehensive sustainability and responsible lending policy.

During the signing of the partnership at the bank’s head office in Accra on Friday, August 16, 2024, the Executive Director of Retail and Digital Banking at Access Bank, Pearl Nkrumah, said the decision to collaborate with Birmingham City University is a testament to the bank’s commitment to sustainable practices.

“We have been building the capacity of SMEs that do business with us because we see them as an integral part of the economy,” she said.

She added, “We want to help the SMEs incorporate sustainable practices, including appreciation of the environment, into their business. We want to do more than banking. This partnership is the beginning of something beautiful. We see it as a conversation between banking and academia, sharing knowledge and growing together.”

On his part, Prof. Javed Hassain, Professor of Entrepreneurial Finance at Birmingham City University, who signed the agreement on behalf of the educational institution, said, “We’re excited to collaborate with Access Bank to achieve our shared mission and vision. Our objective is to support SMEs, which contribute 98% of global businesses, in their growth and development.

With this partnership, we’re committed to investing in sustainable business development, ensuring customers have the necessary tools to sustain their businesses, and promoting a culture of sustainability in the business community.

We look forward to working together to create a more sustainable future for SMEs and the business community at large.”

The partnership is designed to build the capacity of loan officers, support SMEs in accessing funding, and promote sustainable business practices. The partnership between Access Bank and Birmingham City University represents a significant step in aligning financial practices with global sustainability goals.

The MoU signing ceremony was also attended by other representatives of the Birmingham City University namely, Dr. Samuel Salia, Associate Professor of Finance, and Professor Amin Karimu who will both play a crucial role in the research wing of the partnership.

Access Bank (Ghana) Plc was also represented by some management and staff, including Jones Darmoe, Zonal Head of Business Banking and Oluwaseun-David Akindele, Head of Corporate Communications.

As the world increasingly turns its attention to sustainability, the partnership between Access Bank and Birmingham City University is poised to play a crucial role in shaping the future of green finance in Africa and beyond.

Access Bank Ghana is dedicated to empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through its profound understanding of customer needs and its unwavering commitment to supporting business growth. With over 170,000 SMEs supported to date, Access Bank embodies its mantra, “We Love SMEs,” by continuously enhancing services and fostering business development. Recognized for its excellence in SME support, Access Bank was honored as the 2024 Ghana Best Bank for ESG and the Ghana Best Bank for SME in 2023, underscoring its leadership in sustainability and outstanding service.