Access Bank Reinforces Commitment to Climate Resilience at Climate Governance Initiative Nigeria Launch
Access Bank PLC reaffirmed its position as a leader in sustainable finance during the launch of the Climate Governance Initiative Nigeria (CGIN) Chapter, hosted by Lagos Business School.
Dr. Greg Jobome, Executive Director of Risk Management at Access Bank, was specially invited to speak at the event, highlighting the Bank’s pioneering efforts in integrating sustainability into its core operations and its influential role within Nigeria’s corporate sector.
In his address, Dr. Jobome detailed how Access Bank has woven climate risk considerations into its governance framework, operational strategies, and financial decisions. He emphasized that climate change remains a top agenda at both Board and Executive Management levels, supported by dedicated policies and monitoring systems.
With a presence in 24 countries, serving over 60 million customers—including more than 18.5 million digital banking users and over 800 branches—Access Bank maintains robust financial health with a capital adequacy ratio of 20.46%. Its international footprint includes branches in Paris and subsidiaries in Angola.
The Bank’s climate-focused initiatives include measuring and reporting emissions across Scope 1, 2, and 3, adopting the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF) framework, and aligning with global reporting standards such as TCFD, IFRS S1, and S2.
Furthermore, Access Bank has installed over 974 solar-powered ATMs, reduced paper consumption by over 72%, and cut landfill waste by 50% at its headquarters through comprehensive recycling efforts. Its Sustainable Finance Accelerator supports climate-related enterprises through funding, capacity building, and technical support, impacting over 63 million lives through social investments.
Dr. Jobome highlighted that climate considerations are embedded in credit approvals, capital expenditure planning, and the development of green financial products like Switch to Solar, Solar for Health, and mini-grid solutions aimed at fostering energy transition and low-carbon growth.
The Bank has issued Green and Sustainability Bonds and is the first African commercial bank certified by the Sustainability Standards and Certification Initiative. It has received numerous accolades, including the World Finance Award for Most Sustainable Bank in Nigeria (12 consecutive years), Euromoney’s Best Bank for ESG in Ghana, and IFC’s Best Trade Partner in West Africa.
“Access Bank’s climate risk journey underscores our commitment to building a resilient, sustainable institution,” Dr. Jobome remarked. “We recognized early that climate risk equates to financial risk, and our proactive approach has enhanced our resilience and opened new avenues for growth.”
Dr. Jobome’s participation underscores the Bank’s influential role in shaping Nigeria’s corporate climate governance landscape. Its proactive stance, expertise, and tangible results position it as a model for financial institutions across Africa.
The CGIN Chapter launch by Lagos Business School, aligned with the World Economic Forum’s global network, aimed to promote climate-conscious decision-making among corporate boardrooms. The event convened board members, executives, regulators, and sustainability leaders to foster stronger climate governance and corporate responsibility in tackling climate change.