Access Bank Opens New Branch In Hong Kong, Becomes First West African Bank In Asian Country
By Abimbola Abdullah
The Access Bank UK Limited has announced the official opening of its Hong Kong branch (a restricted licence bank).
The expansion, according to the bank, represents a key milestone in its global growth strategy and underscores its commitment to serving clients in the Asia-Pacific region.
The launch of the Hong Kong branch establishes The Access Bank UK Limited as the first West African bank to enter the territory, a groundbreaking move to facilitate and accelerate trade flows between Asia and Africa.
“As a leading international financial centre and gateway to Asia, Hong Kong is ideally positioned to become a strategic hub, strengthening trade and connectivity between the region and Africa.
“Through our presence in Hong Kong, The Access Bank UK Limited will capitalise on the expanding economic partnership between Asia and Africa, supporting the increasing flow of trade between these regions,” the bank stated.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Consul General of the Consulate General of The Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ambassador Oludare E. Folowosele, said: “I am delighted to celebrate today the opening of a Restricted Licence Bank in Hong Kong in the name of The Access Bank UK Limited.
“This is a huge milestone in the development of trade flows between Asia and Africa as the first West African banking group to attain this status. This also aligns perfectly well onto the Belt and Road initiatives between China and Africa where we see growing potentials for business flows between the two countries.”
Founding Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of The Access Bank UK Limited, Jamie Simmonds, expressed his commitment for this strategic initiative, saying: “In recent years, Asia has emerged as Africa’s largest trading region driven by programs like the Belt and Road Initiative.
“In 2023, China-Africa trade reached an all-time high of USD 282.1 billion, reflecting a 1.5% year-on-year growth. As Asia-Africa economic relations enter a new phase, the timing of our Hong Kong branch launch is ideal to meet the financing and banking needs of our clients in these expanding markets.”
Managing Director & Chief Executive of The Access Bank UK Limited – Hong Kong Branch, Ernest Law, commented: “We are delighted to establish the Hong Kong branch as a key element of The Access Bank UK Limited’s ongoing growth and international expansion strategy. This new branch will enable us to engage more closely with our clients in Hong Kong and strengthen our capacity to provide tailored financial solutions across the region.”
The Access Bank UK Limited – Hong Kong Branch, headed by Ernest Law, will focus on international trade finance and commercial banking. The Hong Kong branch is expected to initially employ circa 25 people however this will grow with controlled expansion over time.
