Access Bank asserts its presence in Botswana

• Has increased ATMs from 15 to 58 and has 6 new points of presence
• Chair praises board and staff for bank’s exponential growth in one year

This came to light at a gala dinner that the bank recently hosted in Gaborone to formally mark the 18^th month since it was launched into the Botswana market.

The board and executive management of the bank hosted the dinner to engage with important and valued stakeholders and partners.  In his keynote speech at the the dinner, the Vice President Slumber Tsogwane iterated the government’s commitment to creating an environment that allows well-meaning financial services organisations like Access Bank to contribute to the economic growth Botswana and well-being of Batswana.

“I am informed Access Bank Botswana has increased its ATM footprint from 15 to 58 and added 6 new points of presence, with two more coming soon,” he said, commending the bank’s “exponential growth” in Botswana.  The Chairperson of Access Bank Botswana, Lorato Mosetlhanyane, said since its entry into the Botswana market, Access Bank has been able to bring banking services even closer to people through digital innovation, product development, footprint expansion, agile banking, more ATMs and sales and service centres.

“We’ve grown our service and our presence exponentially,” she said. “I am sure that as you drive around town nowadays, in one street or more, you see the green Access Bank ATM sign.  Our growth is proof of what happens when strategy meets execution. “Prior to our entrance into the market, we were already hard at work on the ground. We were integrating the group strategy and developing our own five-year strategy that would lead us to our ultimate goal of becoming the Number One bank in Botswana.

“Since the inauguration, we’ve been investing and laying the groundwork for our future growth strategy.” Mosetlhanyane added that the large driving force of the bank’s success over the past year has been its commitment to improving the lives and businesses of its customers through full-suite banking products and services. “Though moving quickly, our impact was loud, so much so that in our first year of operation, we have been the recipients of three prestigious awards,” she said.

Also speaking at the dinner, the Acting Managing Director of Access Bank Botswana, Musonda Chishimba, emphasised that what the executive board and staff of Access Bank Botswana have accomplished in just over a year should not be underplayed. He said events like the gala dinner are important for the bank to pause and reflect on how much it has managed to accomplish. “As we look ahead, we are committing to maintaining the same level of intensity when it comes to execution of long-term strategy as we continue to grow,” she stated.

Access Bank’s entry into Botswana came after its acquisition of a majority stake in BancABC Botswana, which was in line with its expansion drive across the African continent and its strategy to be the continent’s financial gateway to the world. The Nigerian financial powerhouse has over the years continued to cement its presence in African markets and beyond. Its operations currently span three continents and 12 countries, Botswana being among its newest additions.