Access Bank (Ghana) PLC in partnership with Birmingham City University (BCU) has concluded a two-day SME Green Financing and Sustainability Workshop, bringing together small and medium sized business owners, prospective clients and bank staff, aimed at equipping them with practical knowledge on sustainable business practices and access to green financing opportunities.
The workshop, held on 18th June in Accra, marks the second phase of the Bank’s sustainability financing journey with BCU, a partnership established in 2024 to embed ESG principles in Access Bank Ghana’s lending operations and capacity building programmes.
This is aimed at equipping businesses with the knowledge and tools to integrate sustainability into their operations while positioning themselves to benefit from emerging global financing opportunities tied to environmental and social governance standards.
Eugene Ocansey, Executive Director for Retail and SME Banking at Access Bank Ghana, told participants the pressures of climate change are already tangible across Ghanaian businesses, from rising energy costs to disrupted supply chains, and that sustainability can no longer be treated as a peripheral concern.
“The conversation is no longer about whether green finance matters. The real question is whether Ghanaian businesses and financial institutions are ready to take advantage of the opportunities available.”
Eugene Ocansey said the bank intends to integrate sustainability assessments into its credit processes, with businesses demonstrating strong environmental practices likely to receive preferential financing terms.
“Sustainability is directly linked to business growth and profitability,” he said. “It could mean financing energy-efficient equipment that lowers electricity bills or supporting cleaner production methods that improve long-term resilience.”
The workshop was facilitated by Prof. Amin Karimu, Professor of Applied Economics, and Prof. Javed Ghulam Hussain, Professor of Entrepreneurial Finance, both from BCU. Sessions covered sustainable business models, green financing structures and practical ESG integration for smaller enterprises.
The professors encouraged SMEs to treat sustainability as a strategic growth tool rather than a compliance burden, noting that businesses adopting responsible practices consistently demonstrate stronger profitability, resilience and investor appeal.
The initiative sits within Access Bank Ghana’s broader push to position itself as a leading sustainable bank in West Africa, aligned with evolving global financing standards and environmental governance expectations.
About Access Bank (Ghana) PLC
Access Bank (Ghana) PLC, a subsidiary of Access Bank PLC., is a leading full-service commercial bank in Ghana. Committed to driving financial inclusion and providing innovative banking solutions, Access Bank continues to empower individuals and businesses across Ghana through its extensive product offering.
With a strong focus on superior customer service, sustainability and digital transformation, the bank remains dedicated to supporting the unbanked, creating opportunities for financial growth, and ensuring that every customer enjoys seamless access to modern banking services.
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