By Ayo Olesin
Access Holdings Plc has reported a strong financial performance for the first half of 2025, posting gross earnings of ₦2.5 trillion, a 13.8 per cent increase from ₦2.2 trillion recorded in the same period of 2024.
According a statement by the company secretary, Sunday Ekwochi, announcing the Group’s audited half-year results for the period ended June 30, 2025, the growth reflects the resilience of its business model, diversified revenue streams, and steady progress in executing its five-year strategic plan.
Interest income surged by 38.9 per cent to ₦2.0 trillion from ₦1.5 trillion in the corresponding period of 2024, driving the overall performance. Net interest income also grew significantly by 91.8 per cent year-on-year to ₦984.6 billion from ₦513.4 billion.
The Group recorded a 16.1 per cent rise in net fees and commission income, reaching ₦237.7 billion compared with ₦204.7 billion in H1 2024. Profit before tax (PBT) stood at ₦320.6 billion, while profit after tax (PAT) closed at ₦215.9 billion, underscoring the strength and resilience of its operations across key markets.
Access Holdings’ balance sheet remained robust, with total assets closing at ₦42.4 trillion, customer deposits at ₦22.9 trillion, loans and advances at ₦13.2 trillion, and shareholders’ equity at ₦3.8 trillion.
The Group’s core banking business delivered solid results, with interest income growing by 38.7 per cent to ₦2.0 trillion, while net interest income rose 85 per cent to ₦992.7 billion. Fee and commission income also climbed 27 per cent to ₦294.9 billion, driven by increased transaction volumes. The banking group’s PBT and PAT stood at ₦303.0 billion and ₦199.3 billion respectively.
Subsidiaries within the banking group contributed 65 per cent of total profit before tax in the period under review, highlighting progress toward sustainable performance across Access Holdings’ African and international operations.
The non-banking businesses also maintained strong growth momentum. Access-ARM Pensions reported a 29.9 per cent increase in revenue to ₦21.0 billion and a 65.1 per cent rise in PBT to ₦13.1 billion, with a return on average equity (ROAE) of 48.1 per cent and a cost-to-income ratio of 35.1 per cent.
Hydrogen Payments achieved a 40.5 per cent revenue growth year-on-year, with PBT surging 273 per cent. The total transaction value processed grew by 211 per cent to ₦41.1 trillion from ₦13.8 trillion in H1 2024.
Access Insurance Brokers posted remarkable growth, recording a 125 per cent increase in gross written premiums, 146 per cent growth in revenue, and a 161 per cent rise in PBT.
Meanwhile, Oxygen X, the Group’s digital lending arm launched in the third quarter of 2024, generated ₦5.4 billion in revenue and ₦2.2 billion in profit before tax during the first half of 2025.
Access Holdings stated that its businesses are well-positioned to deepen market penetration, expand product offerings, and leverage cross-selling opportunities to sustain growth and profitability.
The Group reaffirmed its focus on prudent growth, continued execution of strategic priorities, and scaling of digital and transaction-led income streams while maintaining strong risk management and governance standards.
Access Holdings expressed confidence in its ability to continue delivering sustainable value to shareholders. It pledged to build a stronger, more agile group that consistently delivers superior returns, drives innovation-led growth, and reinforces investor confidence in its long-term prospects.
