Standard Bank Group

Sustainable impact at a glance

We're committed to transparency, measuring our impact against key metrics and reporting to our stakeholders. Our sustainable finance, social investments and responsible practices are creating positive change in 4 key impact areas across African communities.

Enterprise growth and job creation:

We invest in our people because we recognise their potential. We believe that with the right resources, their innovative ideas can transform the continent.

Our goals

  • Facilitate African trade and investment
  • Strengthen the agriculture value chain
  • Support game-changing tech start-ups that solve real-world problems

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Our impact in 2024

  • Facilitated trade transactions to the value of R953 billion for businesses and commercial clients
  • Disbursed R168 million to 211 agriculture cooperatives in Uganda and provided financial literacy training for 1 624 of their members
  • Enabled access to 150 000 work opportunities through our partnership with Founders Factory Africa

Infrastructure development

Investing in infrastructure and the energy transition creates jobs, boosts economic growth and enhances access to essential services for all Africans.

Our goals

  • Drive Africa’s just energy transition and support improved access to affordable energy
  • Provide finance for critical infrastructure in sectors such as transport, water and telecommunications

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Our impact in 2024

  • Mobilised R15.5 billion for new renewable energy power plants
  • Provided R1.7 billion for telecoms infrastructure in the DRC and R235 million for roads infrastructure in Malawi

Climate change mitigation and adaptation:

By investing in climate change mitigation, we can contribute to a greener and more prosperous Africa. We partner with our clients to support their transition journey.

Our goals

  • Provide sustainable finance solutions to encourage sustainable business practices
  • Provide climate-smart agriculture financing solutions
  • Provide green-aligned solutions for homeowners and business owners

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Our impact in 2024

  • Financed Africa’s first nature conservation loan for USD80 million, supporting nature conservation and biodiversity protection
  • Provided finance of over R600 million for climate-smart agriculture solutions
  • Disbursed R147 million to homeowners and R843 million to businesses for solar installations in South Africa

Financial health and inclusion

Financial inclusion empowers our people by creating a more equitable and sustainable future for Africa.

Our goal

  • Support SME owners with access to finance, capacity building, networking and markets
  • Provide solutions tailored for women and young people
  • Provide access to affordable housing and provide solutions for borrowers who get into

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Our impact in 2024

  • Lent R2.6 billion to 4 659 new affordable housing mortgage customers
  • Provided R50.7 million to 615 students who would not usually qualify for finance
  • Reached 28.6 million people through WalletWise, our radio-based financial education, and 105 000 people through in-person and virtual education sessions

More on sustainability
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Environmental, social and governance

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) risk management is embedded in our policies, processes, and governance structures.

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Our climate strategy

We are committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and supporting a just energy transition in Africa.