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Role in society
Our philosophy
We are an active force for good in everything that we do
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We are an active force for good in everything that we do
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To be an active force for good in everything that we do – the fifth strategic theme of our refreshed strategy – means that we prioritise business activities that have the most positive environmental, social and economic impact, while mitigating negative impact.
Our strategic thinking has a purposeful intent: To be active contributors to the greater good, not a mere passive participant. We therefore seek to create intergenerational value through active participation in managing planetary boundaries, contributing meaningfully to the societies in which we operate, and being committed to the highest standards of governance and ethics. This requires us to speak up publicly and be a positive influence in the world.
Delivering long-term value through our environmental, social and governance actions.
We have a vested, long-term interest in supporting development on the continent. We recognise that we need to play our part in enabling inclusive growth and delivering financial services in a socially and environmentally responsible way. This also includes how and what we fund.
We align the work that we do with broader global programmes and initiatives. Our targets are set in alignment with the United Nations (UN) Principles for Responsible Banking, and we link these targets to the appropriate UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Climate Agreement, and relevant regional and local frameworks such as the African Union Agenda 2063 and the South African Financial Sector Code, which drives broad-based black economic empowerment (B-BBEE). Our identified priority SDG represent the most relevant goals and targets to our strategy, business model and operating context.
We support government policies in the collective interests of societies, acting as a strategic thought leader in crucial regulatory debates, and contributing to and influencing national agendas. We also tangibly commit to excellence in governance and risk management.
In recognition of Africa’s vulnerability to climate change, we proactively incorporate climate change risk into our business and set ambitious net-zero carbon emission targets. We want to achieve a positive impact on biodiversity in the medium term and become Africa’s leader in sustainable finance.
Collaborating with like-minded partners who share our vision of creating a more prosperous Africa for all, is one of the ways that enable us to find new ways to innovate, compete and contribute towards sustainable and value-creating solutions to some of Africa’s greatest environmental and societal challenges.
We want to be there for our communities, employees and clients when they need us the most. We champion diversity and inclusion, support education and skills development and provide inclusive financial services to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), women and youth.
By working with leading specialists to empower young people with the training and tools that they need for employment and entrepreneurship in the workplace of the future, we deliver demand-led and innovative interventions that are aligned with national imperatives aimed at addressing youth employability and helping them reimagine their futures. This includes funding access to quality tertiary education, advancing digital, technical and vocational skills.
Bringing possibilities to life
We believe in creating opportunities for our clients, customers and communities, recognising their potential, and supporting them every step of the way to achieve the things that may seem impossible.
We also believe in possibility and in the actions of Africans who always find a way to get things done. We are truly African in understanding and responding with insight, creativity, ingenuity and tenacity to the unique development imperatives of our continent. That’s Africanacity.