Climate change is a critical issue worldwide and has received considerable attention on the world stage in recent times.

The BBC reported in October 2006 that the climate change phenomenon is already affecting people across Africa and “will wipe out efforts to tackle poverty unless urgent action is taken”. In the face of such damming revelations what then is Africa’s response to climate? Read more »

Stakeholders at the African Green Revolution Forum in Accra have discussed the agricultural growth corridor initiatives in Tanzania and Mozambique. They outlined the model for large-scale, multi-stakeholder national value-chain projects. Read more »

African Green Revolution Forum delegates are calling for greater public-private partnerships, not only within Africa but between the continents and the rest of the world.

Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, CEO of New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), said Africa needs to harness the power of global partnerships in Africa’s green revolution. Read more »

The first day of the African Green Revolution Forum has most of its speakers calling for public-private partnerships to ensure the “green revolution” in Africa is a success.

Kofi Annan, who is chairing the forum, said yesterday (2 September) at the opening: “We will be looking to governments for leadership to create an environment that will enable agriculture to prosper and grow and we will be looking to the private sector to drive and sustain that growth. Working together we can achieve a food secure and prosperous Africa.” Read more »

It is equally good business to lend to large-scale commercial farmers as it is to lend to smallholder farmers. This is what Clive Tasker, Chief Executive of Standard Bank Group’s operations in Africa, had to say in response to questions on how much of the bank’s portfolio goes to smallholders and large-scale farmers.

He was speaking as a member of a panel discussion at the African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) between bankers in Africa and development finance organisations. Read more »

It’s been 95 years since we first opened for business in Namibia. How we got there is an interesting tale that started with the First World War

At the height of the war, the Allies gained control of German South West Africa (Namibia) opening up the region to South African business. In August 1915 the South African government granted The Standard Bank of South Africa Ltd permission to open branches at Luderitzbucht, Windhoek and Swakopmund. They were duly opened on 19, 20 and 23 August 1915 respectively. Read more »

At Standard Bank Group we’re all proud of Africa's arts and culture, which is why we’ve taken a special interest in the arts by sponsoring events like Joy of Jazz, National Arts Festival and running great exhibitions at the Standard Bank Gallery, as well as both our African and corporate art collections.

The 13th Annual BASA Award took place on 30 August, which is South Africa’s most prestigious business/arts award and we walked away with two awards. Read more »