Access Bank Partners Deloitte To Empower SMEs

Beulah Godfrey

May 19, 2025
3 min read

Access Bank is quietly reshaping Nigeria’s SME landscape through a mix of strategic partnerships, practical tools, and innovative financial products. In a country where small businesses often struggle with limited access to finance, poor infrastructure, and inconsistent policies, Access Bank is stepping in to bridge the gap with sustainable support.

Recently, the bank partnered with global consulting firm Deloitte to host the SME Business Clinic in Lagos. Themed “Building a Resilient, Profitable and Future-Ready Business in Nigeria,” the clinic provided small business owners with tailored support, expert advice, and real solutions to navigate Nigeria’s challenging business environment.

Access Bank Focuses on SME Growth

Speaking at the event, Abiodun Olubitan, Group Head of SME Banking at Access Bank, said the bank is committed to providing three key resources to SMEs: access to finance, access to information, and access to market opportunities.

She emphasized that Access Bank not only offers financial support but also equips business owners with expert guidance. The goal, she said, is to help entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses even during tough economic times.

To strengthen this support, the bank collaborated with Deloitte to offer one-on-one consultations. Olubitan explained that Deloitte’s global experience added value by helping businesses with structure, planning, and strategy.

She also shared that Access Bank has created a tiered SME support system. This structure allows the bank to serve businesses of all sizes—from nano and micro enterprises to large corporations. For smaller businesses that may not qualify for large loans, Access Bank offers flexible options like collateral-free loans based on cash flow and sales trends.

“We understand that emerging businesses need custom solutions,” she said. “By analyzing financial patterns, we can offer funding where traditional lenders might hesitate.”

Rob Giles, Senior Banking Advisor for Retail Banking at Access Bank, reinforced the bank’s approach. He explained that Access Bank wants to ensure SMEs are “finance-ready.” This includes understanding their business models, market environment, and financial needs before applying for loans.

“Our lending model focuses on sustainable growth,” he said. “We finance physical assets like equipment or working capital for trading. Especially in a high-interest climate, we want to fund investments that generate long-term value.”

Deloitte Highlights the Knowledge Gap

Toluwalogo Odutayo, Partner in Tax and Regulatory Services at Deloitte, highlighted the role of information in business success. She noted that many Nigerian SMEs fail simply because they lack the right knowledge.

Through the partnership with Access Bank, Deloitte aims to close this gap by offering specialized support for small businesses. Services include financial structuring, business registration, and long-term growth planning.

“By giving SMEs strategic insights and actionable guidance, we’re helping them unlock their full potential,” Odutayo said.

Entrepreneurs Praise the Initiative

SME owners at the clinic praised Access Bank’s initiative. Simon Kennedy, CEO of Enable Integrated International Services, said the clinic exposed him to valuable financial tools he didn’t know existed.

“Many small businesses fail because they don’t know what resources are available,” Kennedy said. “This program is a game changer.”

He added that countries like the U.S., China, and India have proven how vital SMEs are to economic development. With the right support systems, Nigeria could follow the same path.

Ogechi Eze, founder of Oge’s Closet and Hair Hub, echoed this sentiment. A long-time client of Access Bank, she credited the bank’s consistent support for helping her business grow over the years. “This business clinic is a major boost for my plans,” she said.