As part of its continued commitment to sustainability, Access Holdings PLC will be amongst the leading participants in the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) Regional Roundtable on Sustainable Finance for Africa and the Middle East. 

Taking place from May 6-7, 2025, in Marrakech, Morocco, the event will bring together regulators, policymakers, and key stakeholders from the financial sector to discuss and shape critical sustainability issues, including climate mitigation and adaptation, nature-positive finance, just transition and financial inclusion, carbon finance, among others.

Amaechi Okobi, Chief Brand and Communications Officer of Access Holdings; Edmund Otaigbe, Group Head of Credit Administration, Governance & Project Monitoring; and Njideka Esomeju, Group Head of Products and Segments, will contribute insights from their extensive experience driving sustainability within the financial sector. 

Sessions dedicated to accelerating the transition of real economy sectors towards sustainability, addressing climate risks, and ensuring financial inclusion will be among the discussions. 

One of the focal points will be how financial institutions can support climate adaptation and resilience, particularly in vulnerable sectors across Africa and the Middle East. The event will further tackle the challenge of unlocking private finance for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), exploring innovative ways to align capital flows with regional sustainability needs.

Other high-level dialogues will explore regional collaboration to support sustainability goals, advance action on climate adaptation, and discuss regulatory developments promoting sustainable finance across the region. 

Panels will focus on financing and insuring MSMEs for climate resilience and fostering an inclusive transition by ensuring that vulnerable communities and underserved populations are not left behind in the push for green growth.

Prominent speakers at the event include Mahmoud Mohieldin, UN Special Envoy on Financing the 2030 Agenda; Louise Gardiner, Senior Operations Officer at the International Finance Corporation (IFC); Lily Burge, Policy Manager, Climate Bonds Initiative; and Samuel Tiriongo, Director of Research and Policy, Kenya Bankers Association.

Walid Ali, General Manager, Sustainability Department, Central Bank of Egypt; Yasser Mounsif, Director of Issuers, Moroccan Capital Market Authority, alongside other leaders in sustainable finance.

The UNEP FI Regional Roundtable promises to be a critical platform for deepening collaboration among stakeholders across Africa and the Middle East. The shared goal is to create a resilient, sustainable future for the region.