By Ayomide Otitoju
Access Bank Plc recently welcomed German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to its Lagos headquarters as part of his inaugural visit to Nigeria. The visit underscored the deepening economic relationship between Germany and Nigeria, with Access Bank playing a pivotal role in fostering bilateral trade and investment.
President Steinmeier, accompanied by a delegation of German business leaders, engaged in high-level discussions with Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Abuja and ECOWAS Chairman Omar Touray before proceeding to Lagos for key economic activities.
During his visit to Access Bank, Steinmeier participated in a business roundtable organized by the bank’s leadership and its German Desk. The forum convened stakeholders from both nations to explore opportunities in finance and energy—sectors critical to sustainable growth and innovation in Nigeria and beyond.
Addressing the roundtable, Roosevelt Ogbonna, Managing Director/CEO of Access Bank Plc, highlighted the importance of the German-Nigerian partnership:
“Germany’s recognition of Nigeria as its second-largest trading partner in Africa underscores the potential of this collaboration. At Access Bank, we leverage our expertise in cross-border banking and market integration to create partnerships that drive economic advancement and innovation across the continent.”
The German Desk at Access Bank, led by Sebastian Barroso da Fonseca, has been instrumental in strengthening ties between German and Nigerian businesses. Over its six years of operation, the Desk has supported more than 100 clients with services such as local funding facilitation, cash management, and fund repatriation.
Roland Siller, CEO of DEG (German Development Bank), emphasized the role of DEG’s financial products in promoting collaboration and investment between the two nations.
The day concluded with a Networking Reception at Access Bank’s headquarters, offering delegates a platform to solidify relationships and explore future synergies.
With Nigeria’s growing appeal to international investors and Africa’s position as a rapidly expanding economic region, Access Bank continues to cement its status as a strategic facilitator of global trade. Operating in 24 countries across Africa, Europe, and Asia, the bank remains a vital player in linking African markets to the world.
