Access Bank has reiterated its dedication to enhancing Africa–Caribbean economic ties, emphasizing youth and diaspora-driven growth, at the recently concluded Intra-African Trade Fair 2025.
Addressing a high-level session on “The Global Africa We Want: Business Collaboration Without Borders,” CEO of Access Bank Caribbean Expansion, Sunmbo Olatunji, highlighted the need for Africa to harness its demographic strength, natural resources, and diaspora connections to create sustainable development pathways.
“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.
She highlighted agriculture and food security, creative and cultural industries, sustainable tourism, and digital innovation as key sectors where cross-border collaborations could drive transformative growth.
“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 noted.
Olatunji emphasized the critical role of the private sector in fostering inclusive growth across Africa and the Caribbean, calling on financial institutions to offer the platforms and tools that facilitate 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 concluded over the weekend, convened governments, businesses, and development partners to strengthen intra-African and global trade. Access Bank underscored its commitment to youth empowerment, diaspora-driven financing, and innovation as part of the broader effort to build an integrated global Africa.
