By Ayomide Otitoju
Access Bank has unveiled its latest initiative, Power of 100 Africa, aimed at empowering 100 female entrepreneurs across 16 African countries. The announcement was made by the bank’s Deputy Managing Director, Chizoma Okoli, during a press conference in Lagos on Tuesday.
Okoli highlighted the bank’s long-standing commitment to supporting women leaders on the continent, emphasizing that empowering women remains a top priority for Access Bank.
“We have always upheld transparency and ethics in all we do. This initiative reflects our dedication to empowering women, and we believe it will inspire the next generation of female leaders across Africa,” Okoli said. “The Power of 100 Africa project is designed to bring about positive change in communities where these women lead, and we are excited about the impact it will have.”
The initiative will spotlight female pioneers from 16 countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zambia, among others, where Access Bank operates.
According to Okoli, the project’s goal is to honor female leaders who have broken barriers, driven innovation, and inspired others through their leadership and influence.
Abiodun Olubitan, Group Head of Women Initiative and Emerging Businesses at Access Bank, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the critical role women play in business. “We believe that women are the bedrock of the business and market space, and this initiative aligns with our broader vision of promoting leadership and fostering innovation,” she said. “Empowering female entrepreneurs is essential to driving economic growth across Africa, and this project is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate their achievements.”
As part of the nomination process, Utobong Hughes, Senior Manager in the Business Advisory Services Group at Andersen in Nigeria, revealed that the selection is open to the public. Nominations can be submitted via an online platform set up for the Power of 100 Africa project.
“We are currently accepting nominations through an online form, and the women must be from the selected countries,” Hughes stated. “Nominees should be pioneers in their field, women who have had a positive impact, or those who have broken new ground in their industry. The nomination process is designed to be streamlined and transparent.”
Non-Executive Director of Access Bank, Omosalewa Fajobi, reiterated the bank’s commitment to promoting female leadership, adding that posthumous recognitions would not be made, and past honorees from the 2015 edition are not eligible for this year’s awards.
“We believe in women and their ability to create meaningful change,” Fajobi said. “This initiative will not only recognize their contributions but also encourage the younger generation to aspire to leadership roles. We hope to see a lasting impact from this project, as we continue to promote gender equality and leadership across Africa.”
The Power of 100 Africa project aims to create a platform for female entrepreneurs to thrive and inspire a new wave of leadership across the continent.
