Standard Bank has secured R3.8 million in German development funding to expand free sustainability training for African businesses, following its programme reaching 10,000 entrepreneurs across 15 markets.
The funding, provided by DEG Impulse with support from Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, will help the Standard Bank Sustainability Academy extend its training programme through 2028.
The Academy, which completed its first year of operation in 2026, provides entrepreneurs and small businesses with practical knowledge on renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, water management, carbon emissions and resource efficiency.
The programme is free to Standard Bank clients and non-clients, removing a potential cost barrier for businesses seeking to improve their environmental practices and respond to climate-related economic challenges.
The R3.8 million contribution will cover approximately half of the Academy’s operating costs, supporting new learning materials, improvements to its digital platform and the measurement of training outcomes.
For smaller businesses, access to sustainability training can help identify opportunities to reduce operating costs, manage resources more efficiently and develop projects that may qualify for sustainable financing.
Dr Manessah Alagbaoso said access to finance alone was insufficient without the skills needed to identify viable sustainability opportunities.
“While Standard Bank has committed to mobilising over R450 billion in sustainable finance by 2028, finance alone is not enough,” said Alagbaoso.
“What we need are businesses that can identify sustainability opportunities, develop credible business cases and access the capital available to them.”
The Academy has already reached businesses operating in different sectors across Africa, with participants reporting how the training has influenced their approach to resource management and environmental sustainability.
In Nigeria, Temidayo Bright Okunfolami of Davic Smart Investment Limited said the programme’s African case studies helped him understand how renewable energy and resource management could be integrated into his agribusiness.
Scolla Jonathan of Skyverse Solutions in Tanzania said the circular economy training introduced new ways of creating value from materials that would otherwise be discarded.
In South Africa, Nkosinathi Authur Mahlang of Rakutu Group said he planned to introduce stricter water conservation practices and provide employees with training on responsible water use.
Christian Voss, Vice President of Project Management, Business Support Services at DEG Impulse, said the funding recognised the Academy’s ability to reach businesses across the continent and strengthen their sustainability capabilities.
The Academy will introduce additional training modules in 2027, alongside case studies documenting how African businesses implement sustainability projects, including challenges and lessons learned.
A new impact assessment tool is also planned to help businesses measure the results of their environmental initiatives.
Standard Bank has partnered with Stellenbosch University to develop sustainability learning content and the University of the Witwatersrand to incorporate African case studies and research into the programme.
Training is delivered through the Community Training platform in collaboration with Microsoft and Philanthrosoft.
The expansion comes as African businesses face increasing pressure to adapt to climate change while identifying opportunities in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and resource efficiency.
The Academy is open to entrepreneurs and businesses across Africa and internationally, with free registration available at https://sustainabilityacademy.standardbank.co.za/.
