Access Bank Plc, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and other global stakeholders have emphasized the need for African women to take ownership of their economic power and play a central role in driving financial inclusion and sustainable development.
At the Access Bank International Women's Day Conference held in Lagos, Zambia's Vice President, Mutale Nalumango, joined business leaders to call for stronger policies and corporate action to remove barriers preventing women's full economic participation.
"It's not enough to invite women to the table—they must have real decision-making power," Nalumango said. "Investing in women translates into stronger economies and more resilient societies."
The event also marked the celebration of Access Bank's Power of 100 initiative, which spotlights 100 exceptional women across Africa who are making significant impact in their industries and communities.
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Chizoma Okoli, Deputy Managing Director of Access Bank, said the bank is committed to supporting female entrepreneurs through initiatives like the W Initiative, Womenpreneur Pitch-a-ton Africa, and Power of 100, which offer funding, training, and networking support. "Financial independence is a powerful enabler for women, and we are committed to creating more access points," she said.
IFC's Regional Director, Dahlia Khalifa, highlighted the long-standing partnership with Access Bank in developing women-centered banking solutions, noting that the IFC has helped the bank build capacity and deliver gender-intentional services.
Also speaking, Bolaji Agbede, Acting Group CEO of Access Holdings, stressed that the future of work must include actionable strategies to elevate women into leadership roles. "It's not just about quotas—we must break systemic resistance and build real career pathways," she said.
The stakeholders called on other financial institutions to adopt similar frameworks that prioritize long-term financial independence and empowerment for women across Africa.
