Expected Development Impact
MARKET DEVELOPMENT
- Improving MSMEs’ access to finance and capacity: MSMEs play an important role in Nigeria’s economy as they represent 96% of businesses, contribute to ~50% of GDP, and create 84% of jobs1. Given that MSMEs face difficulties in accessing credit, 100% of the facility’s proceeds will be channeled to MSMEs, with at least 50% for agricultural, women, and youth entrepreneurs. Access Bank will also support MSMEs’ growth through trainings, business advisory services, and networking opportunities, building business capacity in Nigeria and creating economic value through the provision of goods and services.
GENDER EQUALITY
- Increasing access to finance for women entrepreneurs: Despite their high potential to contribute to economic growth and formal labour, women in Nigeria are restrained by limited access to capital, facing a financing gap estimated at US $21.8B. Given this gap, the facility will allocate at least 20% of capital towards WMSMEs to increase access to financing by women entrepreneurs. Access Bank further supports WMSMEs through tailored offerings, including discounted loan rates, access to educational resources, networking opportunities, and market integration assistance, enabling them to better achieve economic growth in the market.
- Supporting a gender inclusive Bank: At the Bank, women are meaningfully represented in leadership and employment: 38% at the Board of Directors level, 43% at the Executive Management level, and 42% in the workforce. Moreover, Access Bank has the objectives to maintain gender parity across its management and workforce, to promote equal opportunity for employment and career advancement free of bias, and to provide equal pay per job level. Such inclusion measures and objectives further contribute to the Bank’s strategy in supporting WMSME clients