KBA Launches 2016 Sustainable Finance Catalyst Awards

The Kenya Bankers Association (KBA), the umbrella body of the banking industry, has launched the Sustainable Finance Catalyst Awards, for banks that demonstrate leadership and innovation in balancing the quest for financial returns with the diverse priorities within the economic, social and environmental context.

The Award was set up by KBA to recognise banks that drive sustainability by embedding it in their core business operation strategy and governance structures. It also will highlight and celebrate the role of the firm, in driving innovative and sustainable business decisions that create long-term value for clients.

The Award categories include:

1. Best Practice in Sustainable Finance;
2. Sustainability Through Policy & Governance;
3. Client Case Study – Financing Micro, Small & Medium-Sized Companies;
4. Client Case Study – Financing Commercial Clients; and
5. Bank Case Study – Bank Operations & Policy.

Members of the KBA are eligible to submit entries for the Catalyst ward. Non-KBA banks or financial institutions, including development finance institutions, micro finance banks and government agencies, may submit an entry that was undertaken in partnership with a KBA member bank; or may submit an entry separately with a KBA affiliate/ partner (including IFC/World Bank, DEG, FMO, UNEP, African Development Bank, Kenya Association of Manufacturers).

Entries will be accepted until 30^th July 2016. Thereafter shortlisting of nominees and judging site visits will take place in August. The winners will be announced and the awards presented in September 2016 at the Sustainable Finance Catalyst Awards event, which will be held in Nairobi.

Entry forms and criteria are available at www.sfi.kba.co.ke/Catalyst

The judging panel for the Sustainable Finance Catalyst Awards will be Dr. Aisha Mahmood, Central Bank of Nigeria, Special Adviser to Governor on Sustainable Banking; Geoffrey Odundo, Chief Executive Officer – Nairobi Securities Exchange; Martin Oduor-Otieno, Consultant & Banking Industry Expert; Phyllis Wakiaga, Chief Executive Officer, Kenya Association of Manufacturers; Jane Nyakang’o, Director, Kenya National Cleaner Production Centre; Mumo Kivuitu, Regional Managing Director, EBS Advisory; and Professor Peter Muriu, University of Nairobi – School of Economics.

About the Sustainable Finance Guiding Principles & Industry Standards

The Kenya banking industry in March 2015 adopted the Sustainable Finance Initiative (SFI) Guiding Principles that guide the banks in balancing their business goals with the economy’s development priorities and socio-environmental concerns.

The SFI Principles that were officially launched by the Central Bank of Kenya Governor Dr. Patrick Njoroge on 1^st December 2015 are grounded in three main priorities, namely equipping the financial services sector to perform optimally in the area of comprehensive risk management; enhancing business practice, leadership and governance; and promoting industry growth and development by fostering a culture of innovation and inclusivity enabled by new technology.

The Principles draw from and harmonize several global best practice standards, including the Equator Principles, IFC Performance Standards, Nigerian Sustainable Banking Principles, African Development Bank (AfDB) Green Growth Policy, Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Reporting Guidelines, UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP-FI) Guidelines, UN Global Compact Principles, ISO 26000:2010, and Kenya’s National Climate Change Policy (draft).

For more information visit www.sfi.kba.co.ke.