Omanghana
The bank was named “Best Bank for SMEs” and “Best Bank for Consumer Lending” for its support for small businesses and expansion of accessible retail credit.
Access Bank (Ghana) Plc has received two major honours at the 2026 Euromoney Awards for Excellence, strengthening its position in Ghana’s small-business and consumer-lending markets.
The bank was named “Best Bank for SMEs” and “Best Bank for Consumer Lending” at the awards ceremony held in London.
The two honours formed part of a wider continental achievement for parent company Access Bank Plc, whose operations across Africa secured a combined 16 awards.
Euromoney’s Awards for Excellence recognize financial institutions for their performance, innovation, customer service and contribution to economic development in the markets where they operate.
Supporting the Growth of Ghanaian SMEs
Access Bank Ghana’s recognition as Best Bank for SMEs reflected its combination of customized credit products and business-development support for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Rather than focusing solely on lending, the bank introduced advisory programmes intended to help entrepreneurs improve their operations, adopt digital tools and transition into the formal economy.
According to figures highlighted in connection with the award, Access Bank Ghana’s SME initiatives reached more than 515,000 businesses and contributed to the creation or support of over 6,200 jobs.
The programmes also provided targeted assistance to 1,249 women-owned businesses, reflecting the bank’s focus on improving financial inclusion for female entrepreneurs.
Women-led enterprises frequently face difficulties accessing affordable credit, professional networks and technical support. The bank’s initiatives were designed to reduce those barriers and improve the long-term sustainability of participating businesses.
Digital Programme Helps Companies Increase Revenue
Access Bank Ghana also worked with Deloitte Ghana to organize its SME Business Interactive Series, which provided entrepreneurs with practical guidance on digital transformation and business growth.
Through the programme, more than 350 businesses were introduced to digital trading platforms. Participating companies recorded average revenue growth of 37%, according to results cited by the bank.
The initiative helped businesses expand their customer bases and improve their ability to sell products through digital channels.
Digital commerce has become increasingly important for Ghanaian SMEs as consumers adopt mobile payments and online shopping. However, many smaller companies still lack the skills, infrastructure or financing required to take full advantage of these opportunities.
The interactive series was therefore developed to help business owners understand digital marketing, electronic payments, financial management and other tools needed to compete in a changing commercial environment.
DHL Partnership Targets Regional Trade
Access Bank Ghana’s SME strategy also includes a partnership with international logistics company DHL.
The collaboration combines access to trade financing with logistics support for Ghanaian companies seeking to enter regional and international markets. It aims to help as many as 50,000 SMEs connect with wider trade networks.
The initiative is expected to support businesses involved in exports, e-commerce and cross-border distribution.
Many Ghanaian SMEs struggle to expand beyond the domestic market because of shipping costs, documentation requirements and limited access to working capital. By combining financing with DHL’s logistics network, the partnership seeks to make cross-border trade more accessible.
The programme could also help Ghanaian companies take advantage of opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area, whose secretariat is based in Accra.
Bank Recognized for Consumer Lending
Access Bank Ghana’s second award recognized the institution’s expansion of accessible and customer-focused personal lending services.
The bank has increased its use of mobile-first digital loans and introduced more flexible consumer-financing options for salaried workers, families and other retail customers.
These services allow eligible customers to apply for and receive credit through digital channels, reducing the need for repeated branch visits and lengthy manual assessments.
The approach is intended to make personal credit more convenient while reducing some of the administrative delays traditionally associated with borrowing from financial institutions.
Access to consumer loans can help households manage emergencies, education costs, housing expenses and other short-term financial obligations. However, responsible lending remains necessary to ensure customers are not placed under unsustainable debt burdens.
The Euromoney recognition highlighted Access Bank Ghana’s efforts to combine easier access with lending structures designed around the needs and repayment capacity of individual customers.
Access Bank Group Secures 16 Awards
The two awards won by the Ghanaian operation contributed to a total of 16 honours received by Access Bank Plc across its African markets.
Group Managing Director Roosevelt Ogbonna said the achievement demonstrated that African financial institutions have the expertise and operational capacity to compete at the international level.
He indicated that the awards reflected the group’s broader focus on digital innovation, financial inclusion and customer-centered banking.
Access Bank has continued to expand across Africa, operating in multiple markets and serving businesses, institutions and individual customers.
The group’s strategy has placed particular emphasis on supporting trade within Africa, financing small businesses and developing digital services that can reach customers beyond conventional banking branches.
Leadership Credits Customer-Focused Strategy
Access Bank Ghana is led by Managing Director Pearl Nkrumah and Board Chair Ama Bawuah.
The bank’s double victory at the 2026 Euromoney Awards follows its recognition as the overall “Best Bank in Ghana” in 2025.
The consecutive honours reflect the institution’s efforts to grow its presence in both business and retail banking while maintaining a focus on financial inclusion.
The latest awards are also expected to encourage further investment in SME financing, digital lending and partnerships that connect Ghanaian companies to new markets.
As competition within Ghana’s banking industry increases, institutions are being challenged to provide faster digital services while continuing to manage credit risk and meet regulatory requirements.
Access Bank Ghana’s recognition suggests that its approach to SME development and consumer lending is gaining international attention, particularly for combining financing with practical business support and technology-driven delivery.
Source: Omanghana
