Lagos, Sept. 27, 2023: Access Bank Plc, says it has enhanced its Agriculture Desk to boost sustainable agricultural business and attract global investments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Executive Director, Commercial Banking, Access Bank, Ms Hadiza Ambursa, at a news conference on Wednesday in Lagos, said that the move aimed at improving value for its customers and stakeholders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ambursa said that the advancement positions the bank at the forefront of Nigeria\u2019s agricultural financing market segment to serve and support agribusinesses in Nigeria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to her, this is in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria\u2019s (CBN) directive to banks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She said that the agriculture desk serves as a specialised unit which is charged with the responsibility of offering financial and advisory services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She said that the desk also supports prospects and existing players in the agri-business value chain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ambursa said this is in the areas of input and supply, primary production, storage, processing, marketing, mechanisation, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The executive director explained that the creation of the desks was to actualise the \u2018From Farm to Table\u2019 Policy thrust of the CBN, which aligns with the bank\u2019s vision of contributing to the country\u2019s achievement of sustainable food security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAccess Bank\u2019s agriculture desk is first of its kind in the Nigerian agricultural financing market segment to bridge the funding gap in Nigeria\u2019s agricultural sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is done by promoting agribusiness activities through sustainable lending to customers, while providing sustainable and innovative agribusiness solutions for the markets and communities the bank is serving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is done by collaborating closely with the market to understand their unique needs, offering tailored financial products and services to optimise their operations and facilitate expansions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAccelerate the growth of agribusiness and enhance the livelihoods of farmers and agro-entrepreneurs, by strategically aligning its services with the evolving needs in the agricultural industry,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to her, the bank provides tailored financial solutions that address the unique challenges faced by farmers, agribusinesses and other stakeholders in the value chain with the value addition services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ambursa said these include provision of financial and advisory services, market linkages to support sales, capacity building, with special focus on women and youth, stakeholders\u2019 engagement, project monitoring and reporting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She mentioned that the bank\u2019s agriculture desk has a seamless and simplified process for the accessibility of the service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The executive director said: \u201d The agriculture desk is not only about financing; it is about driving transformational change within the agricultural landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur commitment extends beyond monetary support to encompass capacity building, technology adoption and market access for our clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe desk\u2019s impressive track record has been built on partnerships with key stakeholders, including government agencies, international organisations and industry associations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis collaborative approach has reinforced our reputation as a reliable driver of growth in Nigeria\u2019s agricultural sector.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ambursa noted that the bank has positively contributed to the nation\u2019s achievement of self-sustained food security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She revealed that the bank\u2019s investment in agribusiness, so far, is over N200 billion, which has benefitted over 10,000 Agribusinesses, across Small Holder Farms (SHFs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), organised farmer associations or cooperatives and corporates who are financed under various bank\u2019s product and government schemes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The executive director said that the support for these projects has had impacts, such as increase in food security, job creation, growth in customers\u2019 businesses and increased revenue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ambursa stated that with a steadfast commitment to sustainable agricultural business and strategic stakeholders partnerships, the bank is steering the nation and continent toward greater self-sufficiency and global prominence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She said that the bank had earned several awards to its credits, which includes: 2021 and 2022 Global Brand Magazine Award of \u201cBest Agro Banking Brand, 2021 Nigeria Agriculture Award of Agric Bank of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It also won the 2020 African Banker Awards of \u201cAgriculture Deal of the Year, 2019 Central Bank of Nigeria \u2018Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme\u2019 Award, 2018 and 2019 Central Bank of Nigeria \u2018Most Sustainable Bank in Agriculture\u2019 award.<\/p>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Lagos, Sept. 27, 2023: Access Bank Plc, says it has enhanced its Agriculture Desk to boost sustainable agricultural business and attract global investments. The Executive Director, Commercial Banking, Access Bank, Ms Hadiza Ambursa, at a news conference on Wednesday in Lagos, said that the move aimed at improving value for its customers and stakeholders. Ambursa […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":30113,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[701,949],"tags":[526],"class_list":["post-53144","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-agriculture","category-economy","tag-agribusiness","has-post-title","has-post-date","has-post-category","has-post-tag","has-post-comment","has-post-author",""],"yoast_head":"\n