Access Bank Plc and King’s Trust International (KTI) have formalised a significant partnership aimed at creating opportunities, enhancing entrepreneurship, and promoting sustainable livelihoods for young people across Africa.
The agreement was signed by Roosevelt Ogbonna, managing director/chief executive officer of Access Bank, and Will Straw, chief executive officer of King’s Trust International. The ceremony, attended by senior executives from both organisations, also drew prominent dignitaries including Aigboje Aig‑Imoukhuede, co-chair of the King’s Trust International Africa Advisory Board and Chairman of Access Holdings Plc; Ofovwe Aig‑Imoukhuede, co-chair of the Africa Advisory Board; and Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State governor.
The collaboration leverages King’s Trust International’s expertise in youth development with Access Bank’s pan-African footprint and decades-long commitment to inclusive economic growth. By combining their capabilities, the two organisations aim to equip African youths with the skills, confidence, and support necessary to access employment and pursue entrepreneurship across the continent.
Under the agreement, Access Bank will provide financial and strategic support to implement King’s Trust International programmes across multiple African countries. These programmes are designed to empower young people to develop marketable skills, identify business opportunities, and create sustainable income streams, positioning them for long-term economic success.
Speaking at the signing, Will Straw described the partnership as a milestone in addressing youth development challenges in Africa. “This partnership with Access Bank reflects a shared commitment to unlocking the potential of young people across Africa. By combining our experience in youth development with Access Bank’s scale and leadership across the continent, we can create meaningful pathways to opportunity and long-term impact,” he said.
Roosevelt Ogbonna added: “At Access Bank, we believe that empowering young people is fundamental to Africa’s sustainable growth. Our partnership with King’s Trust International reinforces our commitment to entrepreneurship, job creation, and inclusive development, while enabling us to play a purposeful role in shaping the continent’s future.”
Industry analysts note that youth unemployment remains a critical challenge across Africa, with millions of young people entering the labor market annually. The Access Bank-KTI partnership signals a growing trend of cross-sector collaboration to tackle these challenges, blending financial resources, technical expertise, and programmatic support to create measurable economic impact.
With this partnership, Access Bank and King’s Trust International are poised to provide tangible pathways for skills development, entrepreneurship, and employment, reinforcing the importance of private sector engagement in driving sustainable, continent-wide growth.
