President Samia Suluhu Hassan Honored Among Africa’s Most Influential Women by Access Bank Group
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – July 15, 2025 – As part of its efforts to celebrate exceptional African women, Access Bank Group last week honoured Her Excellency President Samia Suluhu Hassan with the Power of 100 Africa Women Award – a Pan-African recognition celebrating transformational women leaders driving positive change across the continent.
In a special visit to the State House to formally present the award, the Board and Management of Access Bank Tanzania, led by Board Chairman Protase Ishengoma, honoured Her Excellency with the recognition in acknowledgement of her exceptional leadership, dedication to inclusive governance, and outstanding contribution to national and regional development.
“This award is a tribute to the remarkable legacy Your Excellency is building — one defined by visionary leadership, inclusive reform, and unwavering advocacy for gender equality,” said Protase. “Tanzania is proud to call you its leader, and Africa is inspired by your example.”
A Platform for African Female Leadership
The Power of 100 Africa Award is a flagship initiative of Access Bank Group that recognises and amplifies the voices of women making significant contributions to sustainable development across sectors such as governance, business, education, and healthcare. It aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 5 on Gender Equality.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan joins a distinguished circle of awardees, including Her Excellency Mutale Nalumango, the vice president of the Republic of Zambia, celebrated for their advancement of women in leadership and national progress.
Access Bank’s Growing Footprint in Tanzania
Access Bank Tanzania, a subsidiary of Access Bank Group, continues to strengthen its role as a key player in Tanzania’s economic transformation. Following its acquisition of African Banking Corporation (BancABC) in 2024 and Standard Chartered Bank’s Consumer, Private, and Business Banking portfolios in 2025, the Bank has made substantial strides in growth and impact.
In just one year, the Bank has:
- Grown customer deposits from TZS 173 billion to TZS 370 billion
- Expanded its loan portfolio to TZS 272 billion
- Created over 600 formal and informal jobs
- Returned to profitability with a TZS 1.6 billion profit in H1 2025
Through its agent banking network and digital platforms, the Bank continues to extend financial access to women, youth, and underserved communities, especially in rural and semi-urban areas.
A Shared Vision for Tanzania’s Future
Access Bank Tanzania reaffirmed its commitment to working with the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania in driving inclusive growth, infrastructure development, and economic resilience.
The Bank also remains a responsible corporate citizen, contributing to national revenue, promoting sustainable banking practices, and investing in education, financial literacy, and environmental stewardship.
The President expressed her gratitude for being recognized as one of the awardees of The Power of 100 African Women. She emphasized that the honour holds significance not only for herself, but for Tanzania as a whole. She further stated that the award would serve as an inspiration to young women across the continent, particularly those aspiring to become the next generation of leaders.
Her Excellency used the opportunity to offer a brief overview of national initiatives and programs supporting women, which are aligned with the UN’s Gender Equality agenda. She noted that women currently make up 36% of the Parliament, with a target of reaching 50%. She further highlighted that the proportion of women in business has increased from 17% to 25% over the past five years and outlined her administration’s strategies to accelerate this growth. Additionally, the government is now working to ensure that girls' enrollment represents at least 50% of all new primary school enrolments annually. All these initiatives intend to ensure women are empowered to participate in the country’s development agenda
About Access Bank Tanzania
Access Bank Tanzania, a subsidiary of Access Bank PLC, is a full-service commercial bank licensed by the Bank of Tanzania. With branches in Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Arusha, and Dodoma, and over 938 Wakala agents and 98 BancEasy Satellite outlets nationwide, the Bank delivers inclusive, technology-driven financial solutions to individuals, SMEs, and corporates.
Following its 2024 acquisition of BancABC Tanzania, the Bank became part of Access Bank Group’s pan-African network spanning 24 countries and serving over 63 million customers.