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The Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN) is pleased to welcome the Southern African Development Community Banking Association (SADC BA) as its newest member. Established in 1998, SADC BA is a regional association representing 12 national banking associations of Angola, Botswana, DR Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, Mozambique, Malawi, Mauritius, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. As a regional body, SADC BA serves as a key platform for promoting cooperation, dialogue, and the harmonization of banking sector policies and practices across Southern Africa.

The membership agreement was signed on the side of the inaugural SADC Sustainable Finance Forum, which took place in Cape Town, South Africa on June 9-11. The Forum organized by IFC, SADC Banking Association, and the Banking Association of South Africa, was also supported by SBFN and Southern Africa’s Sustainable Finance Initiative (SFI) chaired by the National Treasury. The high-level event brought together over 100 experts, senior decision makers from government, regulators, financial institutions, and investors to foster regional collaboration to scale sustainability-focused finance in the region.

Committed to strengthening sustainable finance in the region, the SADC BA Board recently adopted Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) as a theme under its strategy. Joining SBFN, a voluntary network of 101 financial sector regulators and industry associations in 72 emerging markets, will further SADC BA’s ambition to support the adoption of ESG among its members.

“SBFN and IFC are pleased to welcome the SADC Banking Association—a step that reflects the network’s growing regional collaboration and global reach. We commend SADC BA’s leadership and commitment to advancing sustainable finance across the Southern African region showcased this week in Cape Town,” shared Rong Zhang, SBFN Global Coordinator.

SADC BA’s membership brings SBFN’s community to 101 members across 72 countries, further extending its global influence and reaffirming its central role in promoting sustainable finance worldwide.