Access Bank launches “Access U” to drive youth lifestyle banking

By Juliet ETEFE

Access Bank Ghana has launched Access U, a banking proposition designed to align financial services with the evolving lifestyles, income patterns and aspirations of young people.

The initiative, unveiled in Accra, targets a broad spectrum of users from children and students to young professionals, entrepreneurs and content creators.

Head of Retail Products and Marketing, Oluwaseun David-Akindele, said the launch responds to a fundamental shift in how young people earn, spend and engage with financial systems.

“These youths are earning differently; they are reshaping what employment looks like and how money is made and spent. We are fitting banking to support their lifestyle, not a lifestyle for their banking needs,” he said.

According to him, Access U is structured in tiers to meet users at different life stages, covering early savers aged 0–17, university students and young adults entering the workforce or building entrepreneurial ventures.

A key differentiator of the platform is its partnership with global payments company Mastercard, which enhances spending capabilities and supports cross-border and digital transactions, an increasing need among digitally active youth.

“We have partnered with a global brand which drives global spending options, Mastercard, to deliver offerings that support how young people live, spend and earn,” Mr. David-Akindele noted.

Beyond financial products, Access U is anchored on community engagement, financial literacy and continuous interaction with young people. The bank plans to roll out targeted programmes across schools, universities and digital platforms to promote savings, investment awareness and income monetisation.

Head of Consumer Banking, Michael Gyabaah, described the initiative as a strategic shift toward building a broader ecosystem for youth empowerment.

“Today is more than the introduction of a banking platform; it is the beginning of a community built around the ambition, creativity and resilience of young people,” he said.

“What we heard was clear: young people do not simply want a bank account. They want guidance, opportunity, tools and a network that grows with them,” he added.

Access U is expected to support users through their journey from education to employment and enterprise, while connecting them to opportunities and knowledge networks.

Participants at the launch, including content creators, pointed to persistent challenges in accessing and managing income – particularly delays in payments and difficulty handling digital earnings –as key issues the platform seeks to address.

Content creator and influencer, Asiedu Mends, said the platform could ease transaction bottlenecks faced by creatives.

“With Access U, I can track payments easily and receive money without delays, which makes managing my finances much smoother,” he said.

He added that faster and more seamless payment systems would help creatives meet financial obligations and better plan their work.

Mastercard Ghana Country Manager, Akuffo Kwapong, emphasised that collaboration and shared expertise are critical to addressing evolving financial needs within the digital economy.

With Africa’s youthful population projected to dominate the global workforce in the coming years, the bank believes targeted financial solutions will be key to unlocking economic potential.

Access U, positions the bank at the centre of this shift by delivering flexible, digital-first and lifestyle-oriented banking services.

The launch also highlighted the growing role of the creator economy, with digital content creators identified as a key segment. Selected influencers received loaded creator cards and are expected to serve as ambassadors for the initiative.

The event featured Creatorthon, a platform celebrating innovation and storytelling among young creatives, reinforcing the bank’s focus on building a community around opportunity and collaboration.