Access Bank Botswana has welcomed back its second cohort of graduate trainees, comprising eleven high-potential graduates who have returned from an intensive twenty-one-month Entry Level Training Programme at the Business School of Excellence in Lagos, Nigeria. Launched in late2024, the programme identifies promising young professionals and supports their transition into full-time roles across the Bank, underscoring the Bank ’s commitment to developing local talent and building a future-ready workforce.
For the Bank, investment in young talent extends beyond corporate social responsibility; it is a strategic priority. The Graduate Trainee Programme is designed to bridge the gap between academic potential and professional contribution by equipping young professionals with the tools, exposure, and mentorship required to succeed, while cultivating the next generation of leaders from within the organisation. This purpose remains central to the program’s continued focus on developing local capability and contributing to the future of banking in Botswana.
“With each cohort, we continue to see the programme mature and deliver on its objectives. This group has demonstrated the qualities we seek in emerging talent: drive, adaptability, and a clear willingness to learn. As they assume their roles, they will contribute to building a more dynamic and future-ready organisation,” said Njalakangwa Ndzinge, Head of Human Resources.
Following their return, each graduate will be appointed to the Bank, with exposure across several departments, including Retail Banking, Corporate and Institutional Banking, Business and Commercial Banking, Risk, Compliance, Operations, and Strategy, to name a few. This structured approach is intended to provide a broad understanding of the business while enabling each graduate to identify areas in which their strengths and professional interests are best aligned.
Commenting on the programme, Sheperd Aisam, Managing Director of Access Bank Botswana, said, “Our Graduate Trainee Programme remains one of the most meaningful investments we make as a business. With our second cohort now joining us, we are further strengthening our commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for Botswana’s young people and developing the leaders who will help shape the future of banking in this country.”
The Access Bank Botswana Graduate Trainee Programme is more than a career pathway; it is a clear statement of intent. It reflects the Bank’s commitment to investing in Botswana’s youth, strengthening local capability, and building an agile institution that is prepared for the future.
For Kago Katlego Marumo, speaking on behalf of her cohort, the programme was as much about personal growth as it was about professional development. Coming from a legal background, she challenged herself to develop a deeper understanding of banking and finance, emerging more confident, more resilient, and more certain of what she is capable of. “The transition has not always been easy, but it has strengthened me and expanded my capacity. I am ready to take on the next phase of this journey and deliver more by applying my curious, innovative, and growth-driven mindset.”
As this second cohort begins the next phase of their professional journey, they do so with international exposure, practical knowledge, and a renewed sense of purpose. As the programme continues to evolve, Access Bank Botswana remains committed to developing the people who will help define the next chapter of banking in Botswana, demonstrating that investment in people is an investment in the future.
