Africa’s Corporate Banking Is Evolving: Access Holdings’ Lanre Bamisebi Calls for AI-Driven, Sector-Specific Solutions

“Access Holdings’ Lanre Bamisebi says Africa’s corporate banking sector must embrace AI-driven, sector-specific solutions to meet rising client expectations. Speaking at the Future of Finance Summit, he highlights the need for visibility, personalised services, and continuous innovation.”

Corporate banking in Africa is undergoing a significant transformation, and the conversation has moved far beyond traditional deposits and loans.

Speaking during a panel session at the Future of Finance Summit, Lanre Bamisebi, Executive Director, IT and Digitalisation at Access Holdings, emphasised the growing disconnect between what African corporates need and what financial institutions currently offer.

“Corporates are no longer asking for just an Ad or a simple product; they want visibility into liquidity, frictionless cross-border payments, and integrated solutions that anticipate their changing needs,” Bamisebi said.

Despite notable progress across the industry, he observed that corporate expectations continue to outpace available banking services.

Drawing from Access Bank’s extensive footprint—serving more than 65 million customers and processing up to 12.5 million transactions daily—Bamisebi highlighted the transformative role of technology and artificial intelligence in bridging this gap. He noted that advanced data management and AI-powered insights now allow banks to personalise solutions for corporates at a scale previously unimaginable.

“Retail banking is straightforward; corporate banking is complex. Every company, even within the same sector, has unique needs that require tailored solutions,” he explained.

Addressing the challenge of modernising legacy systems, Bamisebi likened the process to “flying a plane while serving meals,” stressing the need to maintain operational stability while deploying new technologies that evolve with corporate clients.

He maintained that generic, one-size-fits-all products no longer align with the needs of industries such as oil and gas, mining, and telecommunications. Instead, banks must invest in deep sector expertise, build flexible AI-enabled systems, and continuously innovate alongside their clients.

According to Bamisebi, the future belongs to banks that provide predictability, personalised insights, and proactive service—anticipating client needs before they are articulated.

While describing AI as essential to modern financial services, he warned of the risks of unchecked adoption. AI’s potential for bias and “hallucinations,” he said, requires strong oversight. He compared the current stage of AI adoption to “the early days of the Internet—transformative, necessary, and demanding vigilance.”

Looking ahead, Bamisebi outlined three strategic priorities for banks aiming to become Africa’s preferred corporate banking partners:

1. Model success: Study and adapt proven frameworks, including Access Bank’s customer-centric strategy.
2. Focus on a niche: Deeply specialise in selected industries rather than attempting to serve all sectors.
3. Commit to continuous learning: Stay responsive to evolving client needs and invest in technology capable of anticipating them.

He concluded that the future of corporate banking in Africa will be shaped by a blend of sector-specific expertise, AI-driven intelligence, and relentless adaptability. Banks that embrace this combination, he said, will not only meet modern corporate demands but also play a defining role in shaping Africa’s financial landscape.