Roosevelt Ogbonna Charts Vision for Banking in a Global Africa
By Praisebell Rosemond Larbi
At the recent Bloomberg Africa Business Summit in Johannesburg, Roosevelt Ogbonna, Managing Director and CEO of Access Bank, outlined a compelling vision for the future of banking in Africa, emphasizing the continent’s potential to fund its own growth and assume a leading role in the global economy.
Speaking to an audience of policymakers, investors, and private-sector leaders, Ogbonna stressed the resilience of African markets despite global geopolitical uncertainties. Citing Nigeria’s latest Eurobond issuance, which was oversubscribed multiple times, he highlighted that investor appetite remains strong in environments where reforms, transparency, and disciplined governance are prioritized.
“Markets are more intelligent than the narratives that often surround Africa. He argued that sustained policy reforms and governance improvements are sending clear signals that are increasingly attracting global capital. These conditions, he noted, are creating a firm foundation for financing Africa’s next phase of economic growth,” Ogbonna stated.
Ogbonna shared a forward-looking vision of Africa not just as a consumer market but as a global hub for trade, innovation, and production. With abundant natural resources, a growing pool of talent, and expanding technological infrastructure, the continent is well positioned to move up the value chain, from exporting raw materials to manufacturing and producing value-added goods locally.
For Access Bank, this vision translates into full-spectrum banking support for retail customers, SMEs, corporate enterprises, and investment-driven sectors including renewable energy, digital infrastructure, and industrial processing. Ogbonna also highlighted the strategic advantage African banks enjoy as many Western financial institutions scale back their presence on the continent. Access Bank’s pan-African expansion, he noted, reflects a “Global Africa” strategy rooted in local expertise and a deep understanding of diverse markets capabilities often overlooked by foreign banks.
“The objective goes beyond profitability. It is about catalysing growth, strengthening ecosystems, and driving development across regions and sectors,” Ogbonna emphasized.
He further underscored that the future of African banking depends on leaders who can combine a global perspective with strong local ownership, engaging international capital markets while investing in homegrown infrastructure, talent, and enterprise. Addressing the persistent “perception premium” that inflates the cost of capital for African businesses, Ogbonna stressed that overcoming these barriers and unlocking domestic investment flows is critical for fostering continental trade, innovation, and large-scale development.
Concluding his address, Ogbonna expressed confidence that Africa possesses the resources, talent, and innovative capacity required to finance and shape its own future. With visionary leadership, he asserted, the continent can achieve a truly global African ambition, demonstrating that Africa’s financial destiny will be defined by Africans themselves.
