Avashnee Ramdial, a seasoned financial executive with experience at Standard Bank, Absa, and Deloitte, has been appointed Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Access Bank South Africa. Her mandate is clear: to transform the institution into a formidable player in one of Africa’s most competitive banking markets.
Ramdial steps into the role at a pivotal time, as Access Bank—Nigeria’s largest bank with a growing African footprint—seeks to establish itself in South Africa following its acquisition of Bidvest Bank, still pending regulatory approval. She describes her task as “building the bank from the ground up,” positioning Access Bank SA as a brand that stands out in a crowded field dominated by Standard Bank, FirstRand, Absa, and Nedbank.
While acknowledging the strength of South African customers’ loyalty to established banks, Ramdial sees opportunity in agility, niche offerings, and pan-African connectivity. “We’re carving out our space with unique products in trade finance and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs),” she noted, citing disruptors like Capitec as proof of the industry’s openness to innovation.
Transitioning from large institutions to what she describes as a “start-up environment,” Ramdial is embracing the all-encompassing nature of her new role—spanning treasury, regulation, and stakeholder management. The high-performance culture at Access Bank, she explained, is fueled by ambitious targets and relentless execution, offering both challenges and opportunities.
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Beyond her professional responsibilities, Ramdial is candid about the personal sacrifices that come with the job. As a single mother of two, she admits to experiencing “mom guilt” for the first time, often working late hours and during family holidays. Yet, she remains determined to strike a balance as the bank establishes stronger foundations.
Her leadership approach focuses on strategic partnership rather than pure financial oversight. She urges her team to be solutions-driven and analytical, with the goal of creating sustainable value. “It’s about building something meaningful, a legacy,” Ramdial emphasized.
With Access Bank’s agility enabling faster digitization and product rollouts, Ramdial believes the bank can outpace larger rivals in key sectors. Looking ahead, she envisions Access Bank South Africa being recognized within five years as a respected competitor in SMEs, trade finance, and alliance banking.
“I’ve always loved challenges,” she said. “And this one is about creating lasting impact in South Africa’s financial sector.”
