Access Bank Drives Africa–Europe Trade Corridor at the Paris International Agricultural Show 2026

Paris, France
Access Holdings PLC, the parent company of
Access Bank Group, has reinforced the leadership of the financial institution, in
connecting African and European markets as its Group Managing Director and CEO,
Innocent C. Ike, officially inaugurated the Nigerian Pavilion at the 2026 Paris
International Agricultural Show.
The event marks a pivotal moment in advancing strategic trade, investment, and
agricultural partnerships between Nigeria and France, while positioning Access
Holdings at the centre of cross-continental economic integration.
Representing Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Chairman of Access Holdings and the France–
Nigeria Business Council (FNBC), Ike opened the pavilion before an audience of global
investors, policymakers, and corporate leaders, signalling Nigeria’s readiness to
deepen commercial engagement with Europe and strengthen value chains across the
agricultural sector.
“The Nigerian Pavilion represents readiness, readiness to partner, to invest, and to
grow together.” Ike stressed in his opening remarks also reminding the audience that
“Paris serves as a gateway into Europe, while Nigeria represents one of Africa’s largest
and most dynamic markets. The presence of Nigerian banks here enhances trade
finance, investment flows, and cross-border partnerships across continents.”
The inauguration marks the beginning of a week-long series of engagements aimed at
unlocking new investment opportunities, strengthening agribusiness value chains, and
enabling greater participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in cross-
border trade. As a leading African financial institution with an expanding global
footprint, Access Bank, continues to serve as a key enabler of international commerce,
providing the financial infrastructure required to connect businesses, markets, and
capital across continents.
A cornerstone of this strategy is the Paris branch of Access Bank UK, which since its
establishment in 2023 has played a critical role in facilitating trade and investment
between Europe and Africa. Under the leadership of Justin Maria, the branch delivers
specialist trade finance, corporate banking, and structured financing solutions that
enable European and African businesses to execute cross-border transactions
efficiently and scale their international operations.
Through its active participation in high-level platforms such as the Nigeria Business
Forum and the Spotlight Nigeria Business Forum, Access Holdings has strengthened
investor confidence, supported capital flows, and reinforced its position as a trusted
financial partner for companies expanding into African and European markets.
The opening ceremony brought together distinguished public and private sector
leaders, including Jim Ovia, Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc; Adaora
Umeoji, Managing Director and CEO of Zenith Bank Plc; Umar Dikko Radda, Executive
Governor of Katsina State; and Emmanuelle Blatmann, Director of African Affairs at the
French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, alongside senior government officials, investors, and
corporate executives.