Access Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Africa–Caribbean economic collaboration, with a strong focus on youth and diaspora-led growth, at the just-concluded Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2025.
Speaking during a high-level session themed “The Global Africa We Want: Business Collaboration Without Borders”, Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank Caribbean Expansion, Sunmbo Olatunji, said Africa must leverage its demographic advantage, natural resources, and diaspora linkages to build new pathways for sustainable development.
“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 declared.
She identified agriculture and food security, creative and cultural industries, sustainable tourism, and digital innovation as priority sectors where cross-border partnerships could generate transformative impact.
“Africa and the Caribbean are natural partners. By combining Africa’s scale with Caribbean expertise and diaspora networks, we can unlock value chains in agriculture, export our culture more effectively, and create unique tourism and digital innovation ecosystems,” she explained.
Olatunji stressed that the private sector has a pivotal role in delivering inclusive growth across Africa and the Caribbean, urging financial institutions to provide the platforms and tools that enable trade, remittances, and entrepreneurship.
“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, which closed at the weekend, brought together governments, businesses, and development partners to deepen intra-African and global trade. Access Bank highlighted its role in driving youth empowerment, diaspora-led financing, and innovation as part of the broader push for an integrated global Africa.
Nume Ekeghe
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