Access Bank, King’s Trust International Sign Strategic Partnership to Boost Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship in Africa
L-R: (Sitting) Roosevelt Ogbonna, Managing Director/CEO, Access Bank Plc, and Will Straw, CBE, CEO, King’s Trust International. (Standing)Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Co-Chair, King’s Trust International Africa Advisory Board and Chairman, Access Holdings Plc; Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede, Co-Chair, King’s Trust International Africa Advisory Board; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and Tom Hartley, Assistant Private Secretary to HM The King, during the signing of partnership agreement between Access Bank and King’s Trust International in London, UK…yesterday
Access Bank Plc has entered into a strategic partnership with King’s Trust International aimed at expanding opportunities, entrepreneurship, and sustainable livelihoods for young people across Africa.
The partnership agreement was formally signed by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank, Roosevelt Ogbonna, and the Chief Executive Officer of King’s Trust International, Will Straw.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by senior officials from both organisations and notable dignitaries, including the Chairman of Access Holdings Plc and Co-Chair of the King’s Trust International Africa Advisory Board, Aigboje Aig‑Imoukhuede, alongside Co-Chair of the advisory board, Ofovwe Aig‑Imoukhuede, and the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The collaboration combines King’s Trust International’s expertise in youth development with Access Bank’s extensive pan-African network and longstanding commitment to inclusive and sustainable growth.
Through the partnership, Access Bank will support the implementation of programmes designed by King’s Trust International to empower young people in several African countries. The initiatives are expected to equip participants with critical skills, boost their confidence, and provide support systems that enable them to pursue meaningful employment and entrepreneurial opportunities.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Straw said the partnership demonstrates a shared commitment to unlocking the potential of Africa’s youth.
According to him, combining King’s Trust International’s experience in youth development with Access Bank’s continental reach would create pathways for sustainable opportunities and long-term socio-economic impact.
Ogbonna also emphasised the importance of youth empowerment in driving Africa’s development.
“At Access Bank, we believe empowering young people is fundamental to Africa’s sustainable growth. Our partnership with King’s Trust International strengthens our commitment to entrepreneurship, job creation, and inclusive development while enabling us to contribute meaningfully to shaping the continent’s future,” he said.
The initiative is expected to strengthen cross-sector collaboration aimed at addressing youth unemployment, promoting entrepreneurship, and fostering inclusive economic growth across Africa.
King’s Trust International focuses on supporting young people globally by helping them build the skills, confidence, and opportunities required to succeed. The organisation works with local partners to deliver programmes that facilitate employment, education, and enterprise development.
Access Bank, a subsidiary of Access Holdings Plc, operates as a full-service commercial bank with more than 900 branches and service outlets across three continents, serving over 60 million customers in 25 countries. The bank employs more than 28,000 staff across its operations in Africa, Asia, and Europe, with representative offices in China, Lebanon, India, and the United Arab Emirates.
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