Access Holdings PLC, the parent company of Access Bank, has reaffirmed its long-term strategic blueprint built on a clear progression model: Scale, Optimise, and Sustain.
This structured roadmap, which has underpinned the Group’s aggressive expansion across Africa and into key global markets, is now advancing into the optimisation phase—a critical stage expected to unlock significant value for stakeholders and drive sustainable performance through to 2027.
Speaking on the transition, Bolaji Agbede, Acting Group Chief Executive Officer, stated: “Our approach has always been deliberate: scale through strategic expansion, then optimise by consolidating, extracting synergies, and driving operational efficiency. The scale-up phase required significant investments in people, infrastructure, systems, and acquisitions.
“Now, as we deepen the optimisation phase, we anticipate the full benefits will begin to manifest—particularly in profitability, capital efficiency, and enhanced shareholder returns.”
Access Holdings’ five-year strategic plan—running through to 2027—places financial inclusion and social impact at the heart of its growth agenda. By expanding digital access and leveraging low-cost delivery platforms, the Group aims to onboard millions of previously unbanked individuals and MSMEs across Africa into the formal financial ecosystem. This effort supports wider objectives of promoting intra-Africa trade, empowering smallholder businesses, and strengthening the value chain in sectors such as agriculture, commerce, and manufacturing.
The Group’s Full Year 2024 financial results underscore its strong momentum: Gross earnings grew to ₦4.878 trillion (from ₦2.594 trillion in 2023), Profit before tax rose by 19% to ₦867.0 billion, Total assets increased by 55.5% to ₦41.498 trillion
These results solidify Access Holdings’ position as one of Africa’s most formidable and diversified financial services institutions.
Over the past year, the Group has extended its footprint to over 20 markets, including strategic subsidiaries in the UK, France, South Africa, and key trade corridors across Asia and the Middle East. These investments—though capital intensive—are yielding a more resilient and diversified earnings base, positioning Access Holdings as a global financial player with African roots.
As the optimisation phase takes shape, the Group will focus on: Streamlining operations, Deepening digital innovation, Enhancing customer experience and Improving capital productivity.
A core pillar of this phase is the strategic use of data and technology to reduce transaction costs, improve accessibility, and accelerate financial inclusion—particularly for women, youth, and rural communities.
“We are confident that by 2027, the full impact of our strategy will be evident. This journey isn’t just about growing bigger—it’s about becoming better, faster, and more resilient,” Agbede affirmed.
Access Holdings remains committed to building a globally connected financial community, driving inclusive growth, and delivering sustainable value for all stakeholders—while maintaining its leadership in innovation, access, and impact.