Access Bank Plc. has emerged the winner, at the inaugural Nigeria Sustainable Banking Awards convened by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in recognition of its outstanding success and leadership in Nigeria’s sustainable development.
The award which took place in Lagos recently cut across four categories and were all won by Access Bank. The categories are as follows: Sustainable Bank of the Year, Sustainable Transaction of the Year (Oil and Gas Sector), Sustainable Transaction of the Year (Agriculture) and Excellence in Women Economic Empowerment.
“We are truly honoured to have been selected as the overall winner in all the categories of this prestigious award. Sustainability is embedded into every aspect of our business operations, it is simply a way of life for us at Access Bank. It is inspiring to receive recognition for our longstanding success in adhering to sustainable banking principles,” stated Access Bank Group Managing Director/CEO, Dr. Herbert Wigwe
These honours according to Wigwe cap off a year during which the bank has received 14 awards across various categories. Some of these awards are the Most Sustainable Bank of the Year Award by World Finance for the 7th time; the Most Outstanding Business Sustainability Award by Karlsruhe Sustainable Finance Awards for the 2nd consecutive time; five awards presented at the recently-concluded Sustainability, Enterprise and Responsibility Awards (SERAs) including Most Responsible Company of the Year Africa (Overall Winner), Best Company in CSR/Sustainability in West Africa.
Wigwe said, “While we are delighted by the numerous accolades, this level of recognition from our regulators is particularly significant because it serves as validation that our tireless efforts are essential to the development of Nigeria’s Sustainability journey.”
Access Bank began its sustainability journey in 2008 and has led various initiatives in line with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. In 2012, the bank championed the implementation of the Nigerian Sustainable Banking Principles, which have now been adopted nationwide.