First Impression
I needed to find networking events for a new project at work, and scrolling through social media was a mess of ads and irrelevant posts. I saw Access More was from Access Bank and free, so I figured I’d give it a shot, but I braced myself for a data-hungry app full of banking ads. The first thing it asked for was my location and a few interests. I was ready to deny permissions, but the app actually explained why it needed location—to show nearby events—which I appreciated. The interface loaded fast on my Pixel 7 and looked clean, not cluttered with banners pushing loans. I picked “business workshops” and “food” as interests, and the home screen populated with a few options right away. It felt practical, not pushy.
What It Does Well
This app is shockingly good at cutting through the noise. The “Explore” tab is the star. Last Thursday, I filtered for events “This Weekend” and “Free,” and it showed me a pop-up vintage market in the arts district I hadn’t heard about. I went on Saturday and it was great. The “Resources” section saved me when my kitchen tap started leaking. I searched for “plumbers,” found a list with ratings and direct contact numbers, and booked someone without having to google and sift through sketchy websites. It also learns quietly. After I clicked on a couple of those tech meetups, my “For You” feed started suggesting relevant coding workshops and IT seminars. It doesn’t feel creepy, just helpful. The whole experience is fast and simple, which is exactly what you want when you’re trying to plan something.
Where It Falls Short
My main gripe is with coverage. While it’s great for bigger events in the city center, it gets pretty thin for my specific suburb. I searched for “book clubs” near me and got nothing, even though I know there are a few. The event details can sometimes be sparse, too. I saw one listing for a “Neighborhood Clean-Up” but the description was just one line, and I had to guess what to bring or if I needed to register. Also, as a privacy-conscious user, I wish there was a clearer, more detailed breakdown of what data is collected and how long it’s kept, beyond the standard privacy policy link. The app works well, but it feels like it’s still growing into its potential in some areas.
Is It Worth the Price?
It’s free. There are no hidden fees, no subscriptions, and I haven’t seen a single ad for Access Bank products inside the app itself, which is a minor miracle. For the price of zero dollars, the value is incredible. I’ve discovered events I enjoyed and found a reliable service provider through it, which saved me time and hassle. You can’t really argue with that. If they started charging or cluttering it with promotions, I’d reconsider, but right now it feels like a genuine tool provided by the bank to be useful, not to extract value from me.
Developer & Support
The app is published by Access Bank plc, which gave me some initial confidence in its legitimacy. I haven’t had to contact support myself because the app has been stable, but I read through the Play Store reviews. Several people mentioned getting actual human responses to bug reports, not just automated replies. I’ve noticed the app updates regularly, about every five or six weeks. The update notes are specific, mentioning things like “improved search accuracy for Lagos events” or “fixed map loading bug.” This tells me a real team is maintaining it and listening to feedback, which is a good sign for its long-term health.
Privacy & Safety
This was my biggest concern. I downloaded it from the official Play Store and scrutinized the permissions. It asks for location, but only when the app is in use, which I set. It doesn’t request access to my contacts, photos, or other sensitive stuff, which is a huge plus. The privacy policy is linked, and while it’s the typical legalese, it’s from a regulated financial institution, so I trust them to be more careful than some random developer. I’ve been using it for over a month now, and I haven’t noticed any weird battery drain or data usage spikes on my phone. It feels safe. For an app that’s essentially a city guide, they’ve kept the data asks reasonable and transparent.
How does the app find local events and resources near me?
Access More uses your location and selected interests to show nearby events and services. When you first open the app, it asks for location permission and explains it's needed to display relevant options, and you can also pick interests like 'business workshops' or 'food' to personalize your feed.
Can I filter events by date and cost to find free weekend activities?
Yes, the Explore tab lets you filter events by timeframes like 'This Weekend' and by cost, including 'Free.' This makes it easy to find no-cost local happenings, such as pop-up markets or community clean-ups, without scrolling through unrelated posts.
Why does the app show no results for certain searches, like book clubs in my suburb?
Coverage can be limited outside city centers, so searches in specific suburbs may return few or no results even if you know events exist. The app relies on listed data, and smaller or informal gatherings might not be included yet, though it improves as more users and organizers add info.
What should I do if an event description is too short or missing details?
Some listings have sparse descriptions, like a one-line summary for a neighborhood clean-up. In that case, you can tap the event to see if more info is available, or use the contact details provided in the Resources section to reach the organizer directly.
How does Access More compare to using social media or Google to find local events?
Unlike social media feeds cluttered with ads and irrelevant posts, Access More focuses purely on nearby events and resources based on your interests. It also provides direct contact numbers and ratings for services like plumbers, saving you from sifting through sketchy websites or sponsored content.
