Access Bank Drives Africa–Europe Trade Corridor At International Agricultural Forum

News in brief:

-Access Holdings opened the Nigerian Pavilion at the 2026 Paris International Agricultural Show to strengthen Africa–Europe agricultural trade and investment partnerships.

-The initiative highlights the bank’s strategy to expand cross-border finance, support SMEs and deepen Nigeria’s participation in global agribusiness value chains.

Access Holdings Plc has reinforced its role in connecting African and European markets following the inauguration of the Nigerian Pavilion at the Paris International Agricultural Show.

The pavilion was officially opened by the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the company, Innocent C. Ike, marking a significant step in strengthening trade, investment and agricultural partnerships between Nigeria and France.

The event attracted global investors, policymakers and corporate leaders seeking to deepen commercial engagement and strengthen agricultural value chains across continents.

Strengthening Nigeria–Europe Economic Ties

Representing the Chairman of Access Holdings and the France–Nigeria Business Council, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Ike described the pavilion as a signal of Nigeria’s readiness to expand partnerships and deepen commercial relations with Europe.

According to him, Paris remains a strategic gateway to European markets, while Nigeria represents one of Africa’s largest and most dynamic economies.

He noted that the presence of Nigerian financial institutions at the forum strengthens trade finance, investment flows and cross-border business partnerships between the two regions.

The inauguration marked the start of a week-long series of engagements focused on unlocking new investment opportunities and strengthening agribusiness value chains.

Through these engagements, the bank aims to expand the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises in cross-border trade while providing the financial infrastructure required to connect businesses, capital and markets.

Paris Branch Supporting Trade Finance

A central component of this strategy is the Paris branch of Access Bank UK, which was established in 2023 to facilitate trade and investment between Africa and Europe.

Under the leadership of Justin Maria, the branch provides specialised trade finance, corporate banking and structured financing solutions that enable European and African businesses to execute cross-border transactions and scale international operations.

Strengthening Nigeria’s Global Trade Ambitions

The opening ceremony brought together several prominent public and private sector figures, including Jim Ovia, Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc; Adaora Umeoji, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank; and Umar Dikko Radda.

Also present was Emmanuelle Blatmann, Director of African Affairs at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, alongside senior government officials, investors and corporate executives.

The Nigerian Pavilion, sponsored by the France–Nigeria Business Council and supported by Access Holdings and Access Bank, reflects growing momentum behind Nigeria’s ambitions to strengthen its global trade footprint.

As international supply chains evolve, Access Bank says it remains committed to facilitating investment, supporting trade and enabling African businesses to expand across global markets.