Access Bank Plc has joined forces with the Project Management Institute (PMI) to reduce fees for internationally accredited project management credentials specifically for Nigerian women. This collaboration aims to address both a shortage of qualified professionals and ongoing gender imbalances within Nigeria’s formal private economy.
The bank’s W Initiative now provides qualifying women with a 25% reduction on exam costs for PMI’s Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) and Project Management Professional (PMP) credentials. Additionally, authorized PMI training providers are extending up to 50% off preparation courses through December 2026.
Nigeria’s economy is experiencing heightened need for project management specialists across multiple fields, including finance, technology, healthcare, construction, energy, and agriculture, yet women remain significantly underrepresented in both formal employment and project management roles.
Data from PMI’s Global Talent Gap report indicates Nigeria may require an additional 211,000 project management professionals by 2035 to satisfy escalating industry needs and offset workforce attrition. For sub-Saharan Africa as a whole, demand could swell by up to 75 percent, reaching 4.6 million professionals within the same timeframe.
The program intends to broaden women’s access to professional certifications that could enhance career mobility and industry transitions, while simultaneously increasing the talent pool available to employers. Despite making up roughly half of Nigeria’s workforce, women hold only about one-third of entry-level positions in the formal private sector, according to McKinsey’s 2025 report on women in the workplace.
George Asamani, PMI’s managing director for Sub-Saharan Africa, emphasized that expanding women’s access to project management qualifications could help meet Nigeria’s growing need for professionals capable of executing complex initiatives. He added that the partnership would help women at different career stages acquire recognised certifications, strengthen their capabilities and contribute to projects shaping the country’s future.
Nene Kunle-Ogunlusi, head of Access Bank’s Women Banking Team, noted that empowering women financially also involves investing in their professional development and income potential. The PMI partnership, she explained, makes globally recognized project management credentials more attainable, opening doors to career and entrepreneurial opportunities.
Eligibility for the discounted certifications extends to current Access Bank clients and women establishing new accounts. Participants must maintain an active Access Bank account, possess a W Debit Card, complete registration and verification procedures, and meet PMI’s qualification standards for their selected certification.
