Standard Bank’s leadership in sustainable finance is evident through its multiple awards for green finance and ESG initiatives. Recognized for driving sustainable infrastructure and project finance across Africa, the bank continues to set the standard in advancing responsible financial practices.

How collaboration in project finance reduces risk and unlocks innovation leading to corporate sustainability

What worked a decade ago may not work today, let alone a decade from now. And when it comes to sustainability, we cannot expect 2014’s solutions to solve the challenges of 2024.

The African Women Impact Fund is a women empowerment initiative aimed at growing the number of women-led fund management businesses in Africa, challenging the male-dominated landscape that currently exists on the continent. Bill Lumley talks to Lindeka Dzedze, executive head strategic partnerships, global markets at Standard Bank Group in Johannesburg and finds her fervently committed to the cause.

Standard Bank Group sustainability matters experts Vincenzia Leitich and Dr Penny Byrne showcased their thought leadership in the media this quarter.

Published in October 2023, the Group’s Sustainable Finance Framework outlines the methodology and associated policies and procedures to facilitate the raising of finance by the Group in the form of sustainable financing instruments.

In the first of its kind in South Africa, Standard Bank Group has partnered with The African Stove Company (TASC) to provide debt financing for their clean cooking carbon project which is designed to combat climate change while driving positive social impact in rural areas.

Standard Bank Group’s We Believe in Here content series continues, highlighting the solutions that power Africa’s environmental sustainability.

From loans and bonds to working capital and supply chain financing, we’re seeing it play an ever-greater role in the deals that we’ve recently closed at Standard Bank.

Standard Bank takes ESG seriously. In 2022 the Group launched its Climate Policy, committing to achieve net zero carbon emissions from our own operations for newly built facilities by 2030, for existing facilities by 2040, and from our portfolio of financed emissions by 2050.

Kenya-based M-KOPA has empowered over 1.5 million customers with credit to access mainly smartphones and solar-powered products and unlocked $600m of credit for the underbanked. Now, a syndicated transaction deal totalling $192 million ($165m in Kenya and $27m in Uganda) brokered by Standard Bank and Stanbic Bank will enable the expansion of the business into Nigeria and Ghana and reach 20 million more customers.

Standard Bank recently launched We Believe In Here, a series that shares stories of positive impact through solutions that power Africa’s environmental sustainability. One of the voices of the campaign is Brian Marshall, Head of Investment Banking at Standard Bank Corporate and Investment Banking.

Women in Corporate and Investment Banking are combating outdated gender stereotypes daily, we are wayfarers. Bringing our whole selves to work, the driven and the vulnerable parts, makes for an authentic rapport. In fact, what resonates so much with me about Standard Bank, and why I wanted to join it, is its human first approach. One of the organisation’s greatest strengths, embracing diversity while prioritising inclusion continues to help us provide our clients with unique and leading solutions that set us apart from our competitors.

Mercer, in collaboration with MiDA Advisors and Standard Bank Group have joined forces to publish the second edition of the Mercer report publication titled “Infrastructure financing in sub-Saharan Africa” to present the attractive case for investing in Africa.

When women become leaders, they have the capability to make bold decisions that drive meaningful change and transform industries.

Despite challenges, we believe the continent remains an attractive investment destination. Growth themes across the continent are intact. Population growth, coupled with urbanisation, higher secondary education levels, and a median age that is moving into its most productive range, continue to support higher growth levels relative to the rest of the globe.

As Standard Bank, we will transform client experience; execute with excellence; and drive sustainable growth.

What worked a decade ago may not work today, let alone a decade from now. And when it comes to sustainability, we cannot expect 2014’s solutions to solve the challenges of 2024.

Standard Bank’s African Markets Revealed is a research report providing detailed, comprehensive, medium term (up to 2 years ahead) forecasts for 21 key African economies.

Africa is our home. And has been for over 160 years. Today our commitment to her people and her prosperity is stronger than ever. Because when this continent wins, economies grow, communities thrive and our clients succeed.

The summit builds on 2022’s Net zero theme, focussing on climate change in the context of energy access and energy transition, while acknowledging the link to ESG.

When women become leaders, they have the capability to make bold decisions that drive meaningful change and transform industries.

The summit builds on 2021’s Net-Zero theme, focussing on climate change in the context of energy access and energy transition, while acknowledging the link to ESG.

The 9th annual South Africa Tomorrow Conference, a showcase of African Institutions and listed companies, under the topical theme this year of ‘Structural Reform and Catalysts for Growth’