Access Bank Strengthens Africa–Europe Trade Ties at 2026 Paris International Agricultural Show

Access Bank Strengthens Africa–Europe Trade Ties lat 2026 Paris International Agricultural Show

Paris, France – February 23, 2026 — Access Holdings PLC has reinforced its leadership in advancing Africa–Europe trade relations as its Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Innocent C. Ike, officially inaugurated the Nigerian Pavilion at the Paris International Agricultural Show.

The high-profile event marks a significant step in strengthening strategic trade, investment, and agricultural partnerships between Nigeria and France, positioning Access Holdings at the forefront of cross-continental economic integration.

Representing Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Chairman of Access Holdings and the France–Nigeria Business Council (FNBC), Ike formally declared the pavilion open before an audience of global investors, policymakers, and corporate leaders. The ceremony signaled Nigeria’s readiness to deepen commercial engagement with Europe and strengthen agricultural value chains.

“The Nigerian Pavilion represents readiness — readiness to partner, to invest, and to grow together,” Ike said in his remarks. He emphasized Paris as a strategic gateway into Europe while describing Nigeria as one of Africa’s largest and most dynamic markets. According to him, the presence of Nigerian banks at the forum enhances trade finance, investment flows, and cross-border partnerships across continents.

The inauguration launches a week-long series of engagements focused on unlocking investment opportunities, strengthening agribusiness value chains, and increasing the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in cross-border trade.

A central pillar of Access Bank’s Europe–Africa strategy is the Paris branch of The Access Bank UK, established in 2023. Under the leadership of Justin Maria, the branch provides specialist trade finance, corporate banking, and structured financing solutions that facilitate seamless cross-border transactions between European and African businesses.

Through its participation in platforms such as the Nigeria Business Forum and the Spotlight Nigeria Business Forum, Access Holdings has continued to boost investor confidence and support capital flows between African and European markets.

The event attracted prominent public and private sector leaders, including Jim Ovia, Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc; Adaora Umeoji, Managing Director and CEO of Zenith Bank Plc; Umar Dikko Radda, Governor of Katsina State; and Emmanuelle Blatmann, Director of African Affairs at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, alongside senior government officials and investors.

The Nigerian Pavilion, sponsored by the France–Nigeria Business Council and supported by leading institutions including Access Holdings and Access Bank, reflects Nigeria’s growing global trade ambitions and the Group’s strategic role in facilitating economic connectivity between Africa and international markets.

As global supply chains continue to evolve, Access Bank says it remains committed to building bridges between Africa and the rest of the world by enabling trade, supporting investment, and empowering businesses to scale across borders.