In line with its continued commitment to sustainability, Access Holdings PLC will be among the key participants at the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) Regional Roundtable on Sustainable Finance for Africa and the Middle East. Taking place from May 6–7, 2025, in Marrakech, Morocco, the event will convene regulators, policymakers, and stakeholders from the financial sector to address critical sustainability issues, including climate mitigation and adaptation, nature-positive finance, just transition, financial inclusion, and carbon finance.
Amaechi Okobi, Chief Brand and Communications Officer of Access Holdings; Edmund Otaigbe, Group Head of Credit Administration, Governance & Project Monitoring; and Njideka Esomeju, Group Head of Products and Segments, will share insights drawn from their extensive experience in advancing sustainability within the financial sector.
The roundtable will feature discussions focused on accelerating the transition of real economy sectors toward sustainability, addressing climate-related risks, and promoting financial inclusion. A key highlight will be exploring how financial institutions can support climate adaptation and resilience, particularly in vulnerable sectors across Africa and the Middle East. The agenda also includes tackling the challenge of mobilising private finance for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by exploring innovative approaches to align capital flows with regional sustainability priorities.
High-level dialogues will delve into regional collaboration to achieve sustainability goals, advance climate adaptation actions, and explore regulatory developments fostering sustainable finance. Panel sessions will cover topics such as financing and insuring SMES for climate resilience and fostering an inclusive transition that ensures vulnerable communities and underserved populations are not left behind in the drive for green growth.
Prominent speakers at the event include Mahmoud Mohieldin, UN Special Envoy on Financing the 2030 Agenda; Louise Gardiner, Senior Operations Officer at the International Finance Corporation (IFC); Lily Burge, Policy Manager, Climate Bonds Initiative; Samuel Tiriongo, Director of Research and Policy, Kenya Bankers Association; Walid Ali, General Manager, Sustainability Department, Central Bank of Egypt; and Yasser Mounsif, Director of Issuers, Moroccan Capital Market Authority, among other leaders in sustainable finance.
The UNEP FI Regional Roundtable serves as a vital platform for strengthening collaboration among stakeholders across Africa and the Middle East, united by a shared commitment to building a resilient and sustainable future for the region.