Lender NCBA Group has published its first Sustainable Development Impact Disclosure report, a new approach to sustainability reporting under the Impact Disclosure Guidance released in October 2024. The Impact Disclosure Guidance was developed in collaboration with multinational financial services firm J.P Morgan and African-American investment bank Blaylock Van.

According to the bank, the publication of the report makes NCBA the first African financial institution to use the new guidelines.

“We collaborated with J.P Morgan and Blaylock Van so that we could draw from their wealth of experience. We are committed to acting beyond the rhetoric so that we can build a legacy of sustainability that will resonate for generations to come. Accountability, transparency and consistency in our reporting are essential in driving this commitment. We are determined to adapt, innovate and lead to demonstrate that Africa can be the source of transformative solutions,” said John Gachora, Group Managing Director, NCBA.

In August 2024, the Group marked the first anniversary of the sustainability programme ‘Change the Story’, anchored on five strategic pillars and a set of 15 bold commitments aimed at driving change in the communities it serves. Under the programme, NCBA provided scholarships totalling KES11.1 million, supporting underprivileged students.

Based on its impact disclosure, NCBA aims to make meaningful contributions to 10 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including #1 (No Poverty), #4 (Quality Education), #5 (Gender Equality), #6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), #7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), #8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), #9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), #12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), #13 (Climate Action), and #15 (Life on Land) in Kenya.

In the SDID, the institution aims to promote financial inclusion, increase green and sustainable financing activity, improve operational sustainability, and support employment and community engagement. 

As part of its intentions, the Group has pledged to mobilise KES30 billion to support green and sustainable financing and grow 10 million trees by the year 2030. In addition, it intends to eliminate single-use plastics and achieving 100 percent waste recycling by 2030.

NCBA’s SDID serves as a structured framework outlining the institution’s strategy to drive transformative change in Kenya through local economic development, enhanced access to financial services, and increased green and sustainable financing. 

The SDID incorporates an impact reporting template for ongoing monitoring and reporting on NCBA’s realised impacts, underscoring NCBA’s commitment to transparency and accountability to its development goals. 

In the future, NCBA plans to expand its SDID framework beyond Kenya to include its operations in Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, and Ivory Coast, ensuring a consistent and measurable approach to sustainable development across all its markets.

"NCBA’s leadership in publishing the SDID marks a significant milestone, establishing a new benchmark for transparency and accountability in advancing measurable sustainability goals. The SDID highlights NCBA’s commitment to supporting economic development through impactful initiatives that promote financial inclusion, environmental resilience, and community empowerment," noted Nyagaka Ongeri, President, Blaylock Van.

He added, "This bold initiative provides investors with a further tool to deepen their understanding of NCBA’s impact strategy, ultimately helping to scale engagement that drives progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals." 

"NCBA is a pioneer for producing a Sustainable Development Impact Disclosure (SDID) for its business in Kenya. The SDID reveals how NCBA plans to contribute to the country’s economic development and establishes its commitment to report progress against such plans. NCBA may use the SDID to enhances its dialogue with impact-focused investors in global capital markets," explained Sailepu Montet, Chief Representative Officer, JP Morgan.

The Impact Disclosure Guidance was developed by the Impact Disclosure Taskforce — of which NCBA was a member — and uses the principles of impact measurement and monitoring to disclose the impact of companies that advance the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. 

Impact disclosure created under the guidance fosters transparency and accountability and commitment to sustainable development, while empowering global capital markets to make informed financing decisions based on reliable, publicly disclosed information.