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Access Bank has announced the launch of its Power of 100 Africa initiative, aimed at empowering 100 female entrepreneurs across 16 African countries.
The initiative was disclosed by the Deputy Managing Director of Access Bank, Chizoma Okoli, at a press conference in Lagos on Tuesday.
Okoli emphasised the importance of supporting women leaders across the continent, stating that the bank’s commitment to empowering women had always been a top priority.
“We have done everything in a transparent and ethical form. This initiative reflects our dedication to empowering women, and we believe it will inspire the next generation of female leaders across Africa.
The Power of 100 Africa project is designed to bring about positive change in the communities where these women lead, and we are excited about the impact it will have,” she stated.
She added that the women to be honoured would be selected from 16 countries, where Access Bank had a presence.
The countries include Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zambia, among others.
Okoli noted that the project’s objective was to spotlight female pioneers who have broken barriers, created innovations, and inspired others through their leadership and influence.
Also, the Group Head of Women Initiative and Emerging Businesses at Access Bank, Abiodun Olubitan, highlighted the importance of the initiative in supporting women in the business space.
“We believe that women are the bedrock of the business and market space, and this initiative aligns with our broader vision of promoting leadership and fostering innovation. “Empowering female entrepreneurs is critical to driving economic growth across Africa, and this project is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate their achievements,” Olubitan said.
As part of the nomination process, the Senior Manager in the Business Advisory Services Group at Andersen in Nigeria, Utobong Hughes, explained that the selection process was open to the public and nominations could be made via an online platform set up specifically for the Power of 100 Africa project.
“We are currently accepting nominations via an online form, and the women must be from the selected countries,” Hughes stated.
“Nominees should be women who have had positive impacts, are pioneers in their field, or have broken new ground in their industry. The nomination process is designed to be streamlined and transparent, allowing the public to nominate as many deserving women as possible.”
In her remarks, a Non-Executive Director of Access Bank, Omosalewa Fajobi, reiterated the bank’s commitment to promoting female leadership and supporting women who were making positive changes in their communities.
She added that posthumous recognitions would not be made, and past honorees from the 2015 edition were not eligible for this year’s awards.
“We believe in women and their ability to create meaningful change,” Fajobi said. “This initiative will not only recognise their contributions but also encourage the younger generation to aspire to leadership roles. We hope to see a lasting impact from this project, especially as we continue to promote gender equality and leadership across Africa.”
