Access’ Recognition by CFA Society Signals a New Standard for Developing Africa’s Future Financial Leaders

A new ranking by CFA Society Nigeria has identified Access as the country’s largest employer of CFA candidates, highlighting the Group’s growing influence in developing the next generation of investment and finance professionals and reinforcing its position as one of Africa’s leading builders of financial services talent.

Published as part of CFA Society Nigeria’s Where Nigeria’s Finance Professionals Work series in a national daily, the rankings show that Access employs 82 CFA candidates, more than twice the number recorded by the next-ranked institution and the highest of any organisation in Nigeria’s financial services industry. The Group also ranked second among employers of CFA charterholders, reflecting its ability not only to attract experienced professionals but also to develop future leaders equipped with globally recognised expertise.

The distinction extends beyond workforce statistics. It offers a window into how leading African financial institutions are investing in the capabilities that will shape the continent’s financial future. As financial markets become increasingly interconnected and customer expectations continue to evolve, institutions that consistently develop highly skilled professionals are expected to play a defining role in strengthening confidence, governance and long-term economic growth.

The CFA Charter is widely recognised as one of the world’s most rigorous professional qualifications in investment management, covering ethics, financial analysis, portfolio management and professional standards. The rankings were compiled by CFA Society Nigeria using data from its Salesforce Membership Database as of June 2026.

For Access, the recognition reflects an institutional commitment to building capability at scale. Across its banking, pensions, payments, insurance brokerage and consumer lending businesses operating in 25 countries across Africa, Europe and Asia, the Group has continued to invest in structured learning, professional certification and leadership development as part of its broader strategy to create sustainable value.

Industry observers note that sustained investment in professional excellence has become an increasingly important differentiator for financial institutions seeking to compete internationally. Organisations that deliberately build technical expertise and ethical leadership are often better positioned to innovate responsibly, manage risk effectively and earn the confidence of customers, investors, regulators and other stakeholders.

The recognition also aligns with Access Holdings’ long-term aspiration to become the world’s most respected African financial services group. While scale remains an important measure of growth, the ability to consistently produce professionals who meet globally recognised standards increasingly reflects the quality, resilience and credibility of an institution. In that regard, developing the largest pipeline of CFA candidates in Nigeria represents more than an internal achievement; it contributes to raising professional standards across the country’s financial services ecosystem and strengthens Africa’s capacity to compete in global capital markets.

Commenting on the recognition, Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings, Innocent C. Ike, described it as a reflection of a culture that places continuous learning and professional excellence at the centre of the organisation’s growth strategy.

“We are proud that so many of our people are pursuing one of the most demanding professional qualifications in global finance, and that they are choosing to do it here, at Access. These rankings reflect a deliberate culture of excellence, one where rigour, integrity and continuous learning are not slogans but the way we work every day. Every candidate on that list represents our commitment to building institutions and professionals that endure.”

CFA Society Nigeria, part of the global CFA Institute network, said the rankings recognise organisations that invest in professionals who bring rigour, integrity and global best practices into the workplace, underscoring the growing importance of talent development in strengthening Nigeria’s financial sector and supporting the continent’s long-term economic ambitions.