Access Holdings Plc has assured shareholders of robust investment returns as it transitions into the optimisation phase of its five-year strategic plan, which runs through 2027.
Speaking on the Group’s long-term strategy, Acting Group Chief Executive Officer, Bolaji Agbede, said the optimisation phase is expected to unlock significant value for stakeholders following years of aggressive expansion across Africa and global markets.
“Our approach has always been clear: scale first through strategic expansion, then optimise through consolidation, synergy realisation, and operational efficiency,” Agbede explained.
She noted that while the initial expansion phase required significant investments in people, systems, infrastructure, and acquisitions, the ongoing optimisation phase will prioritise profitability, capital efficiency, and shareholder returns.
A key pillar of the Group’s strategy is driving financial inclusion across Africa. Access Holdings aims to integrate millions of unbanked individuals and underserved micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) into the formal economy by expanding digital access and deploying low-cost delivery platforms.
The initiative also aligns with the Group’s broader mission to enhance intra-African trade and empower value chains in key sectors such as agriculture, commerce, and manufacturing.
Recent financial results reflect the impact of this strategy. For the full year 2024, Access Holdings posted gross earnings of ₦4.878 trillion, up from ₦2.594 trillion in 2023. Profit before tax rose by 19 per cent to ₦867.0 billion, while total assets surged by 55.5 per cent to ₦41.498 trillion.
Agbede highlighted the Group’s growing global footprint, with operations spanning more than 20 markets including subsidiaries in the UK, France, South Africa, and key trade corridors in Asia and the Middle East.
“As we enter this new phase, our focus will be on streamlining operations, deepening digital innovation, and improving capital productivity,” she said. “We are confident that by 2027, the full impact of our strategy will be visible building a stronger, faster, and more resilient Access Holdings.”
The company plans to leverage data and technology to enhance service delivery, reduce transaction costs, and promote inclusive finance, particularly targeting women, youth, and rural populations.