Standard Bank Secures R3.8m German Funding to Expand Sustainability Academy
Standard Bank Secures R3.8m German Funding to Expand Sustainability Academy. Standard Bank has secured R3.8 million in German development funding to expand its Sustainability Academy after training more than 10,000 entrepreneurs and business owners across 15 African markets during its first year.
The co-funding from DEG Impulse, supported by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), will help sustain the programme through 2028. The funding is expected to cover approximately 50% of the Academy’s operating costs.
The initiative provides free sustainability training to Standard Bank clients and non-clients across Africa and beyond, equipping businesses with practical knowledge to identify sustainability opportunities, improve competitiveness and support sustainable economic growth.
Manessah Alagbaoso, executive head of business ecosystems and sustainability for Business and Commercial Banking at Standard Bank, said financing alone was insufficient to advance sustainable business practices.
Standard Bank has committed to mobilising more than R450 billion in sustainable finance by 2028. Alagbaoso said businesses also needed the skills to identify opportunities, develop credible business cases and access available capital.
The Academy’s curriculum covers sustainability principles, renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, water and wastewater management, and carbon. Training is delivered through the Community Training platform in collaboration with Microsoft and Philanthrosoft.
DEG Impulse vice president of project management for Business Support Services, Christian Voss, said the co-funding reflected confidence in the programme’s reach and its potential to strengthen private-sector development and business competitiveness.
The funding will support curriculum development, platform improvements, monitoring and evaluation, and measures to ensure the Academy’s long-term sustainability.
Planned enhancements through 2027 include new learning modules, case studies developed with African businesses, an impact assessment tool and referral functionality to help businesses connect others to the programme.
Standard Bank has also partnered with Stellenbosch University and the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg to develop sustainability-focused learning content and incorporate African case studies and thought leadership.
The programme aims to help businesses translate sustainability knowledge into practical initiatives, including renewable energy adoption, improved resource management and climate-smart agricultural practices.
