ITC and Access Bank Launch SME Growth Initiative in Africa

The International Trade Centre (ITC) and Access Africa Office, part of Access Bank Plc (NGX: ACCESSCORP), have formed a partnership to improve access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across 14 African countries. This initiative will begin with a pilot program in Ghana from September 2026 to June 2027, focusing on women-led enterprises.

The partnership was formalized through a memorandum of understanding signed during the UN General Assembly in New York. The program aims to address critical areas such as job creation, access to finance, SME sustainability, capacity building, and market access, supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The collaboration aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals 5, 8, and 9. ITC Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton emphasized that access to finance is a significant barrier for small businesses in Africa, and this partnership seeks to equip them with the necessary resources to thrive.