Barclays Africa commits to progress in Africa through shared growth strategy |06 July 2016
Barclays Africa has reaffirmed its commitment to economic and socio-economic growth on the continent through its shared growth strategy, pledging US $93 million to improve skills development and access to quality education, to raise US $89 million to help small and medium-sized African businesses succeed and grow, and to ensure that more people have access to digital and non-digital financial services across the continent.
Speaking at a press briefing in Johannesburg, South Africa, Maria Ramos, Barclays Africa group chief executive said “shared growth for us means having a positive impact on society and delivering shareholder value, the two are not mutually exclusive. We are applying our substantial resources to provide innovative commercial products, services and partnerships to build a more equitable and prosperous Africa for the next generation.”
“When our customers and clients do well, so do we. When the communities where we live and work thrive, we do too. And when society prospers, we all do. But only if we work together – private public partnerships are the key to tackling some of society’s biggest challenges – to deliver on growth opportunities. We believe a business can only be successful if it connects positively and creates value with the society in which it operates in,” added Ms Ramos.
Shared growth is based on creating shared value. It emphasises the connections between societal and economic progress, showing that they are mutually dependent, and when unleashed can stimulate substantial growth. Companies can, and indeed should, develop deep links between their business strategies and citizenship.
Barclays Bank recognise that there is a virtuous link between society’s progress and its own success, and it therefore continually seeks opportunities to be a good corporate citizen, and contributes to the societies in which we operate in a meaningful way.
“As part of the shared growth strategy, Barclays Africa today announced the appointment of a shared growth advisory council. We realise that making a meaningful contribution to economies and society is about shared value and shared opinion. We are proud to partner with industry leaders, civil society and government who will play a role in ensuring our contributions are meaningful and that our impact is sustainable,” says Johan Van Schalkwyk, managing director, Barclays Bank Seychelles.
“Shared growth is a great vehicle to enhance prosperity and growth in the communities that we operate in, thus visibly demonstrating that Barclays has a heart and soul, especially when it comes to improving the lives of the Seychellois youth,” added Mr Van Schalkwyk.
Barclays Africa Group Limited is listed on the Johannesburg stock exchange and is one of Africa’s largest financial services groups. It is uniquely positioned as a fully local, fully regional and fully international bank. It offers personal and business banking, credit cards, corporate and investment banking, wealth and investment management and insurance.
Barclays Africa is 50.1% owned by Barclays Bank PLC (Barclays). At December 31, 2015, it had 847,8 million shares in issue and a market capitalisation of R121.6 billion. The bank operates in 12 countries with about 40 thousand permanent employees and we serve more than 12 million customers.
The registered head office is in Johannesburg, South Africa and it has majority stakes in banks in Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania (Barclays Bank Tanzania and National Bank of Commerce), Uganda and Zambia. It also has representative offices in Namibia and Nigeria.
Barclays Bank PLC has operations in Egypt and Zimbabwe which continue to be run by Barclays Africa operationally.