Access Bank Plc has emphasised the urgency for Africa to leapfrog traditional development models by leveraging cutting-edge technology and sustainable finance to accelerate the transition to clean energy.

The Executive Director of Risk Management at Access Bank, Dr. Gregory Jobome, made this call at the Nigeria Climate Change Forum (NCCF) in Abuja, while delivering a presentation on “The Role of Innovation and Technology in Africa’s Net-Zero Transition.”

Jobome also highlighted Africa’s heightened vulnerability to climate change, particularly in scenarios where global temperatures exceed 1.5°C. He called for urgent transformative action to mitigate risks and ensure climate resilience.

During a high-level panel discussion, he provided insights on unlocking financing for renewable energy projects in Nigeria. The session showcased the bank’s leadership in pioneering sustainable financing solutions, including green bonds, blended finance, and public-private partnerships (PPPs), outlining a roadmap for Africa’s energy transition.

He said Access Bank is spearheading collective efforts toward a net-zero future, through strategic collaborations with governments, international financiers, and industry innovators via the Sustainable Finance Accelerator Programme, adding that the bank is mobilising large-scale investments to drive Africa’s green transition.

The Minister of Women Affairs, HajiaImaanSulaiman-Ibrahim, underscored the crucial role of women in driving Africa’s net-zero agenda. She noted that women are disproportionately affected by climate change and called for increased public-private partnerships to empower women in climate action.