This case study examines how Access Bank has embedded the United Nations Principles for Responsible Banking into its core strategy and operations, aligning its activities with the Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Agreement, and the Global Biodiversity Framework. It shows how a large African financial institution translated international sustainability commitments into concrete lending, investment, and risk-management practices. The case is relevant to sustainable finance because it demonstrates how responsible banking principles can be operationalised at scale across multiple business lines, while supporting growth, resilience, and investor confidence in emerging markets.

Activities relevant to investors / finance audience

• Issuance of a certified green bond to finance eligible environmental projects
• Integration of environmental, social and governance considerations into lending and risk management
• Development of gender focused lending and small and medium enterprise finance programmes
• Financing of renewable energy, climate resilient infrastructure, and flood defence projects
• Expansion of digital financial services to support financial inclusion

Together, these activities illustrate how sustainability objectives can be embedded into mainstream banking products, capital allocation, and risk frameworks in ways that are relevant for investors, lenders, and financial institutions.

Scope

The case study focuses on Access Bank’s responsible banking activities across its African operations. It covers corporate and retail banking, project and infrastructure finance, and capital markets activity, particularly green bond issuance. The sustainability themes include climate mitigation and adaptation, financial inclusion, gender equality, small business development, and governance. While Africa is the primary geographic focus, the standards and approaches applied are internationally recognised and transferable across markets.

Who is the case study for?

• Investors and asset managers assessing sustainability performance and transition readiness
• Bankers and sustainable finance teams designing green and inclusive finance products
• Policymakers and regulators interested in responsible banking implementation
• Sustainability and environmental, social and governance analysts

Tools, data and methods used

Access Bank applied a Green Bond Framework aligned with international capital market standards to define eligible projects and ensure transparent use of proceeds. Environmental and social risk management policies, informed by global performance standards and project finance principles, guided screening and due diligence. The bank used external verification to confirm eligibility of financed assets and tracked allocations through internal systems. Impact data were collected and reported annually, covering environmental outcomes, inclusion metrics, and portfolio exposure.

Findings

The case shows that embedding responsible banking principles into governance, risk processes, and product design can support both sustainability outcomes and institutional growth. Access Bank successfully issued a certified green bond, financed renewable energy and climate resilience projects, and expanded lending to women entrepreneurs and small businesses. Key lessons include the importance of clear governance structures, alignment with recognised standards, external verification, and transparent impact reporting. For sustainable finance decision-makers, the case demonstrates how integrated approaches to governance, risk management, and capital allocation can enable credible, scalable responsible banking while strengthening market trust and long-term financial resilience.