Absa Bank Ghana has once again demonstrated its national leadership in social impact and sustainable development with a remarkable performance at the 2025 Sustainability and Social Investment Awards.

The bank secured five major awards that reflect its ongoing commitment to youth development, financial inclusion, and strategic partnerships that improve lives across Ghana. The spotlight of the night also fell on Absa Ghana’s Managing Director, Dr Edward Nartey Botchway, who was honoured as the SSI Impact CEO of the Year for his transformative leadership.

At the high-profile ceremony organised by the Entrepreneurs Foundation of Ghana, Absa Bank Ghana earned five awards that celebrated its measurable contributions to Ghana’s socio economic growth. The bank won Partnership and Collaboration of the Year, Best Company in Youth Mentorship Project, and Best Company in Youth Development and Empowerment Project.

In addition, two of its top executives were individually recognised for their outstanding contributions to national development. Dr Edward Nartey Botchway was named SSI Impact CEO of the Year, while Head of Citizenship Priscilla Yeboah received the Mentorship Leadership Impact Award.

These recognitions affirm Absa’s reputation as a champion of sustainable development initiatives that directly support young people, small businesses, and communities across the country.

Speaking after receiving the SSI Impact CEO of the Year title, Dr Edward Nartey Botchway highlighted the importance of purpose driven leadership and sustainable partnerships.

“What matters most to us is not the number of programmes we run, but the progress people can make because of them. Our partnerships with the Mastercard Foundation, our investments in youth employability, and our commitment to financial inclusion are changing how many young Ghanaians access opportunity. These awards recognise that impact and remind us that when we back people with the right skills, capital, and confidence, their stories change and communities move forward.”
Dr Edward Nartey Botchway

His remarks reflect Absa’s strategic commitment to driving self reliance, entrepreneurial growth, and community level transformation.

Mastercard Foundation Partnership Drives Impact

A major highlight of Absa’s awards performance was its partnership with the Mastercard Foundation through the Young Africa Works programme. This collaboration was celebrated under the Partnership of the Year category for its game changing ability to support small and medium sized enterprises with accessible and affordable financing.

The programme allows Absa to extend collateral free and subsidised loans at 10 percent per annum to entrepreneurs nationwide. It particularly focuses on youth led, women led, and agribusiness ventures.

Since the start of the partnership in 2020, Absa has disbursed more than 137 million dollars in accessible financing to over 8,000 businesses. Notably, 60 percent of the beneficiary businesses are women led, reflecting Absa’s dedication to promoting financial inclusion and empowering women in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through this initiative, over 7,000 businesses have received training, coaching, and mentoring to enhance their competitiveness and long term sustainability.

The programme’s cumulative impact is one of the most significant achievements in Ghana’s financial sector. With over 50,000 jobs created for young people nationwide, the initiative has become a powerful engine for economic transformation and employment creation.

Youth Empowerment at the Core of Absa’s Vision

Absa Bank Ghana has maintained an unwavering commitment to developing the potential of Ghana’s young people. This dedication was reflected in the awards for Best Company in Youth Mentorship Project and Best Company in Youth Development and Empowerment Project.

The bank’s flagship ReadytoWork programme has become one of the largest youth employability platforms in the country. In 2025 alone, the programme equipped 1.7 million young people with practical training in employability, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and creative thinking. The platform continues to serve as a bridge that connects classroom knowledge with real world skills, helping young people transition smoothly into the workforce.

Complementing ReadytoWork is the Money Matters financial literacy campaign, which has already supported 126,000 students this year. The programme focuses on building essential skills in budgeting, saving, and responsible money management, enabling young people to cultivate strong financial habits early in life. These youth focused initiatives have made Absa one of the most influential corporate contributors to Ghana’s human capital development agenda.

With strong leadership, innovative programmes, and impactful partnerships, the bank continues to shape opportunities for thousands of young people and small businesses. The recognition of Dr Edward Botchway as SSI Impact CEO of the Year underscores the bank’s exceptional influence in championing Ghana’s socio economic progress.