Lagos: Access Bank Plc and King’s Trust International have formalised a strategic partnership aimed at expanding opportunities, entrepreneurship, and sustainable livelihoods for young people across Africa. The agreement was signed in London by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank, Mr. Roosevelt Ogbonna, and the Chief Executive Officer of King’s Trust International, Mr. Will Straw.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the event was witnessed by prominent stakeholders, including Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Co-Chair of King’s Trust International Africa Advisory Board and Chairman of Access Holdings Plc; Mrs. Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede, Co-Chair of the board; and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu. The partnership will leverage King’s Trust International’s expertise in youth development alongside Access Bank’s pan-African network to equip young people with skills, confidence, and support for employment and entrepreneurship.
Under the agreement, Access Bank will support the implementation of King’s Trust International programmes across several African countries. This will help young people gain relevant skills and access pathways to employment and self-employment. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr. Straw emphasized the collaboration as a shared commitment to unlock the potential of young people across the continent. He stated, “By combining our experience in youth development with Access Bank’s scale and leadership across the continent, we can create meaningful pathways to opportunity and long-term impact.”
Mr. Ogbonna, in his remarks, highlighted the importance of empowering young people for Africa’s sustainable growth and development. He stated, “Our partnership with King’s Trust International reinforces our commitment to entrepreneurship, job creation, and inclusive development, while enabling us to play a purposeful role in shaping the continent’s future.”
The partnership is expected to strengthen cross-sector collaboration to address youth unemployment, promote entrepreneurship, and drive inclusive economic growth across Africa. King’s Trust International supports young people globally to build the skills, confidence, and opportunities they need to succeed, working with local partners to deliver practical programmes that help young people access employment, education, and enterprise opportunities.
Access Bank, a subsidiary of Access Holdings Plc, operates through more than 900 branches and service outlets across three continents and 25 countries, serving over 60 million customers. Access Holdings Plc has been listed on the Nigerian Exchange since 1998 and operates as a diversified financial services group, combining retail banking strength, digital platforms, and corporate banking expertise with robust risk and capital management capabilities.