Africa Day: Celebrating our continent, building our future
Every year on 25 May, we celebrate Africa Day, which is a reminder of our continent's diversity, resilience and boundless potential.
It's a day to acknowledge the strides we've made, embrace our rich cultures and reflect on the shared challenges we face across the continent. This year, we look to the future, fuelled by the energy of Africa's dynamic, youthful population and the promise of burgeoning economic growth.
For us at Standard Bank Group, Africa is more than just a location; it's our home. Celebrating Africa Day is a reminder of our continent's diversity, resilience and boundless potential. It's a day to acknowledge the strides we've made, embrace our rich cultures and reflect on the shared challenges we face across the continent.
From our humble beginnings in 1862, we've grown alongside the continent, evolving into Africa's largest bank by assets. This journey has been fuelled by a deep commitment to driving inclusive and sustainable economic growth across the 20 sub-Saharan African countries where we operate, serving over 19.6 million clients.
We believe in creating sustainable growth not just for our shareholders but for society and the planet as a whole. We understand the pivotal role we play in driving economic growth, and by providing essential financial services and products, we empower businesses to expand, create jobs and contribute to the overall prosperity of our communities.
As Africa’s Most Valuable Banking Brand for 2025*, beyond finance, we invest in the future through corporate social investment initiatives, supporting education, healthcare and community development projects. We're proud to say that we mobilised R74.3 billion in sustainable finance in 2024, contributing to a cumulative R177 billion since 2022. Our target is to reach R250 billion by 2026, maximising positive impact in key areas across the continent.
Notably, this year marks the first time both the G20 and B20 summit will convene on African soil, with South Africa as the host country. The theme for this year’s B20 summit is ‘Inclusive Growth and Prosperity through Global Cooperation’ future and Standard Bank Group is proud to serve as a lead sponsor, driving sustainable development across the continent.
On this Africa Day, let's celebrate our shared heritage and look forward to a future filled with opportunity and sustainable growth for all.
Africa is our home. We drive her growth.