Access Bank Botswana Clinches Three Global Awards for Innovation and Excellence

Access Bank Botswana Clinches Three Global Awards for Innovation and Excellence

Gaborone, Botswana – December 3, 2025: Access Bank Botswana, a subsidiary of Access Bank Group, has strengthened its global profile with three major international awards recognising its advancements in digital banking, customer-focused innovation, and social impact. The latest honours affirm the Bank’s continued drive to transform Botswana’s financial sector through cutting-edge solutions and purpose-led initiatives.

At the 2025 Global Retail Banking Innovation Awards organised by The Digital Banker, Access Bank Botswana won Best Digital Banking Initiative, Botswana for its ‘SalaryAdvance’ product. The fully digital, short-term credit facility allows salaried customers to access up to 200% of their monthly salary instantly via mobile app or USSD. With automated repayment, transparent pricing, and broad accessibility, the solution is credited with boosting financial inclusion and engagement across the country.

The Bank also secured two additional recognitions from the Global Banking & Finance Awards®:

Best Bank for Digital Transformation, Botswana 2025, awarded for the Women Banking Initiative (W Initiative)—a programme tailored to empower women entrepreneurs and professionals through bespoke financial services, capacity-building, and financial literacy support.

Best CSR Programme for Employee Engagement, Botswana 2025, spotlighting the Bank’s robust corporate social responsibility efforts in health, education, entrepreneurship, youth development, and environmental sustainability.

Access Bank staff have played an active role in these CSR achievements through participation in World Clean Up campaigns, youth programmes, school outreach activities, and environmental conservation efforts.

Managing Director of Access Bank Botswana, Sheperd Aisam, described the awards as a validation of the Bank’s transformational journey.

“These awards affirm our journey of transformation and purpose-driven innovation,” he said. “Through digital excellence and a strong CSR foundation, we are redefining what it means to be a modern, inclusive bank—one that empowers individuals, businesses, and communities to thrive.”

The Bank’s latest recognition builds on strong performance in 2024, when it earned accolades including Best Bank for Digital Transformation, Botswana (2024) for innovations in nano loans, bank-to-wallet services, and early SalaryAdvance features; the Visa Best Payments Collaborator Award for remittance services; and XH Smart Banking Partner of the Year for prepaid card advancements.

With its 2025 wins, Access Bank Botswana cements its status as one of Africa’s most forward-thinking financial institutions and reinforces the Access Bank Group’s vision to become the world’s most respected African bank—providing more than banking and expanding opportunities for customers and communities to prosper.