Access Bank Plc has partnered with the Project Management Institute (PMI) to lower the cost of globally recognised project management certifications for Nigerian women, targeting a professional skills gap that intersects with persistent gender disparities in the formal private sector.
Through the bank’s W Initiative, eligible women can access a 25 percent discount on examination fees for PMI’s Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) and Project Management Professional (PMP) certifications. Participating PMI Authorised Training Partners are also offering discounts of up to 50 percent on examination preparation courses until December 2026.
The partnership comes as Nigeria faces rising demand for project management expertise across sectors, including banking, technology, healthcare, construction, energy and agriculture, while women remain underrepresented in formal-sector employment and the project management profession.
According to PMI’s Global Talent Gap report, Nigeria could require up to 211,000 additional project professionals by 2035 to meet growing demand and replace workers leaving the profession. Across sub-Saharan Africa, demand is projected to rise by as much as 75 percent to 4.6 million professionals over the same period.
The initiative seeks to widen women’s access to professional credentials that can support career progression and mobility across industries, while helping expand the pool of skilled workers available to employers.
The gender gap remains pronounced. McKinsey’s Women in the Workplace 2025: India, Nigeria and Kenya report found that women account for around half of Nigeria’s workforce but occupy only one in three entry-level positions in the formal private sector. Globally, men outnumber women in project management by three to one, according to PMI’s The State of Women in Project Management report published in 2023.
George Asamani, managing director of PMI Sub-Saharan Africa, said expanding women’s access to project management qualifications could help address Nigeria’s growing demand for professionals capable of delivering complex projects.
“Nigeria needs more professionals with the skills to deliver projects successfully and women have an important role to play in meeting this demand,” Asamani said. He added that the partnership would help women at different career stages acquire recognised certifications, strengthen their capabilities and contribute to projects shaping the country’s future.
Nene Kunle-Ogunlusi, head of the Women Banking Team at Access Bank, said supporting women’s financial ambitions also required helping them invest in their professional growth and earning potential.
The partnership with PMI, she said, was intended to make internationally recognised project management qualifications more affordable and accessible, connecting women with opportunities that support their career and business aspirations.
Project management capabilities are increasingly relevant to organisations implementing digital systems, delivering infrastructure, managing operational risks and expanding businesses. The skills are transferable across industries, potentially giving certified professionals greater flexibility in pursuing employment and advancement opportunities.
However, the scale of the programme’s impact will depend partly on how many women take up the discounted certifications, complete the training and translate the qualifications into improved employment or career outcomes. The announcement did not specify the number of women expected to benefit.
The offer is open to existing Access Bank customers and women who open new accounts with the bank. Applicants must maintain an active Access Bank account and a W Debit Card, complete the registration and verification process, and satisfy PMI’s eligibility requirements for their chosen certification.
