International Trade Centre, Access Bank Partnered on Growth
The organizations signed an agreement to boost small business development across 14 African nations.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Financial Services
Live Poll
Do you believe large corporate partnerships effectively help small businesses in your community grow?
The International Trade Centre and Access Bank have launched a three-year partnership aimed at supporting small businesses throughout Africa. The collaboration focuses on vital areas such as job creation and improving access to finance for local entrepreneurs.
Why it matters
Small businesses generate the majority of jobs in Africa, yet they frequently encounter significant obstacles when seeking necessary capital and market access. This initiative seeks to bridge those gaps while advancing key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Access Bank manages over 63 million customers and operates more than 700 branches across 25 countries. The new partnership will span a three-year term across 14 African nations.
The players
International Trade Centre
This is a joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations that focuses on assisting small and medium-sized enterprises in developing economies.
Access Bank
Access Bank is a multinational financial services provider headquartered in Nigeria that maintains a significant presence across several African markets.
The details
Signed on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, the partnership includes a pilot program in Ghana that utilizes digital learning and training-of-trainers initiatives. This effort will specifically support goals related to gender equality, decent work, and industry innovation.
Timeline
September 2026: The pilot program begins implementation in Ghana.
June 2027: The pilot phase is scheduled to conclude.
2027 onwards: The partnership intends to scale to additional countries and programs.
Market Landscape
This collaboration mirrors a broader trend of financial institutions deepening their commitment to emerging markets through targeted capacity-building programs. By formalizing support for small businesses, the entities seek to capture growth in underserved sectors across the continent.
Small business owners in participating regions will gain access to digital learning tools and professional training programs. These resources are designed to help entrepreneurs overcome common financing and market entry barriers.
The takeaway
This partnership highlights the growing importance of private-sector infrastructure in meeting global development objectives. Business leaders and entrepreneurs should watch for similar scaling efforts as the model expands beyond the pilot phase in 2027.
What happens next
The pilot program in Ghana will officially launch in September 2026, followed by a scheduled conclusion in June 2027, before the partnership scales further in 2027.
Further reading
Explore more initiatives and trends within the Financial Services sector.
Live Poll
Do you believe large corporate partnerships effectively help small businesses in your community grow?
