Access Bank Zambia Limited has announced a major corporate social investment aimed at improving school attendance and dignity for vulnerable children across Zambia, through a partnership-driven footwear donation campaign.
The initiative was unveiled by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Dr. Iheanyi Nwogu FCIB, who described the programme as a targeted intervention addressing one of the basic but often overlooked barriers to education—access to proper footwear.
As part of the campaign, Access Bank Zambia committed K150,000 in support of the “Shoes for Smiles – Walk This Way” initiative, implemented in collaboration with Village Steps Foundation, World Vision Zambia, and footwear partner Zamshu.
According to the announcement, the programme is expected to benefit approximately 10,000 children across 150 schools in multiple regions, including Sioma, Lumezi, Chipili, Mungwi, Lusaka, and Ndola. Many of the targeted beneficiaries attend government schools and routinely walk long distances to access education, often without adequate footwear.
Speaking on the initiative, Nwogu emphasized that while financial institutions typically focus on traditional indicators such as capital, balance sheets, and returns, sustainable development also requires investments in human potential—particularly children. He noted that something as simple as a pair of shoes can significantly influence school attendance, confidence, and long-term learning outcomes.
The bank described the programme as part of its broader commitment to social impact, highlighting education access as a key pillar of community development. Organizers added that the initiative is designed not only to provide immediate relief but also to encourage consistent school attendance and improved participation in learning.
The “Shoes for Smiles – Walk This Way” campaign is expected to roll out across participating schools in phases, with distribution efforts coordinated alongside local partners and community stakeholders.