Access Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Africa–Caribbean economic collaboration at the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2025.
Speaking at the event, Sunmbo Olatunji, Chief Executive Officer, The Caribbean Expansion at Access Bank, emphasized the need to leverage Africa’s demographic advantage, strategic resources, and diaspora linkages to create new pathways for sustainable and inclusive growth. She delivered her remarks under the theme: “The Global Africa We Want: Business Collaboration Without Borders.”
“The Global Africa we want is one without borders in spirit, vision, or opportunity—an Africa where our youth, diaspora, and private sector drive collaboration that makes us a central player in the global economy,” Olatunji stated.
Highlighting sectors with the greatest potential for cross-regional partnerships, she identified agriculture and food security, creative and cultural industries, sustainable tourism, and technology-driven innovation as key growth drivers.
“Africa and the Caribbean are natural partners. By combining Africa’s scale with Caribbean expertise and diaspora networks, we can unlock agricultural value chains, export our culture more effectively, and create unique tourism and digital innovation ecosystems,” she added.
Olatunji further stressed the pivotal role of the private sector in building resilience and driving inclusive prosperity. According to her, financial institutions have a responsibility to create platforms that enable trade, simplify remittances, and empower entrepreneurs.
“At Access Bank, we see ourselves not just as bankers, but as connectors of opportunities. Our Caribbean expansion reflects a clear commitment to link Africa’s dynamic economies with diaspora wealth and expertise, unlocking a future of shared prosperity,” she said.
The IATF 2025, organized by the African Export–Import Bank (Afreximbank) in collaboration with the African Union (AU), continues to serve as a premier platform for accelerating intra-African trade, deepening Africa–Caribbean partnerships, and showcasing investment opportunities across the continent.