Access Bank Zambia Wins Global Awards for SME Support and Community Impact
Access Bank Zambia has been recognised with two international honours, winning Best CSR Bank and Best Bank for SME Banking in Zambia for 2025 at the Global Brands Magazine Awards.
The accolades highlight the bank’s growing role in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and its continued investment in community development initiatives across the country.
Speaking on the recognition, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Iheanyi Nwogu, said the awards reflect the institution’s hands-on approach to engaging with SMEs and addressing their challenges.
“Every day, we engage with SMEs, listening to their challenges and supporting their growth. This recognition reflects that work,” he said, adding that the bank remains committed to making a positive impact in the communities it serves.
Access Bank Zambia’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy is centred on four key pillars: health, entrepreneurship, education, and environmental sustainability.
In the health sector, the bank has supported the renovation of the BO3 maternity ward at University Teaching Hospital, which serves over 20,000 women annually, and has facilitated cervical cancer screening for more than 5,000 women.
Its education and youth empowerment initiatives include partnerships with universities to deliver mentorship programmes, financial literacy training, and career development opportunities.
The bank also runs SME capacity-building programmes aimed at equipping entrepreneurs with practical skills to build sustainable businesses.
In environmental sustainability, the bank promotes initiatives such as the Imiti Ikula programme, under which the Early Savers Academy engages children aged 6 to 16. More than 10,000 trees were planted under the initiative last year.
Through its Employee Volunteering Programme, staff contributed to community projects that impacted over 100,000 lives in 2025. The bank has also supported national culture and sports through sponsorships and participation in traditional ceremonies.
Access Bank Zambia said it will continue to expand its support for SMEs by offering tailored financial solutions, advisory services, and strengthened partnerships to drive business growth.
The Global Brands Magazine Awards recognise organisations worldwide for excellence in performance, innovation, and leadership across various sectors.
