Our approach to sustainability
Our comprehensive approach to sustainability aligns with our business strategy and value drivers.
We aim to maximise our positive social, economic and environmental impact and effectively manage risk, to support inclusive and sustainable growth in Africa.
Maximising positive impact
We provide products and services that meet Africa’s development needs. We focus on four areas where we have the greatest impact
Effectively managing risk
We identify and manage material sustainability risks arising from our business activities and relationships. Focus areas include ethical conduct, information security, cybersecurity and financial crime.
We are maximising our positive impact in the following ways:
Sustainable finance
We are a leader in sustainable finance. We support our clients in achieving their sustainability ambitions with bespoke solutions to manage ESG risk and achieve positive impact.
Facilitating sustainable trade
Facilitating sustainable trade - We play a leading role in promoting intra-Africa trade and connecting African businesses to global markets, contributing to economic growth and job creation.
Supporting a just energy transition
We are a leading provider of finance for Africa’s renewable energy projects. We work with our clients to support their transition to a lower-carbon economy. We support a just transition that benefits all.
Empowering communities
We invest in community development programmes that address key social challenges, such as access to education, healthcare, and financial inclusion. We partner with government, corporates and civil society organisations to maximise the impact of our CSI investments.
Championing arts and culture
We are supporting arts and culture initiatives that enrich lives, promote creativity, and celebrate Africa's diverse heritage.
More on sustainability
Sustainable impact at a glance
Through our core business activities, we help to create positive change in four impact areas, driving Africa’s sustainable and inclusive growth. We're committed to transparency, measuring our impact against key metrics and reporting to our stakeholders
Sustainability risk management
Effective management of sustainability risk is embedded in our policies, processes, and governance structures.