Sustainability has become a critical priority for businesses and governments across the world, driving growth, innovation, and positive change. As the world grapples with climate change, social inequality, and economic uncertainty, organisations are recognising the importance of adopting sustainable practices that balance Environmental, Social, and Governance considerations.

In Nigeria, the sustainability agenda has become a mainstay, with companies like FirstBank leading the charge. As the leading financial institution in West Africa, FirstBank has made significant strides in promoting sustainability/ESG, with notable achievements in renewable energy, financial inclusion, and environmental conservation. The bank’s sustainability initiatives are anchored on three pillars: education, health and welfare; diversity and financial inclusion; and responsible lending, procurement, and climate initiatives.

One of the bank’s notable achievements is its investment in renewable energy. In 2025, FirstBank invested over $9 million in solar home projects across Africa, providing clean and affordable energy to communities. The bank also supported modular power plants with over N15 billion, enhancing energy access and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Additionally, FirstBank fulfilled its three-year commitment with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) to plant 51,000 trees across Nigeria, promoting biodiversity preservation and absorbing approximately 720 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

The bank’s sustainability initiatives extend beyond environmental conservation. Over 1 million students have been impacted with financial literacy skills, empowering them to make informed financial decisions and secure their futures. The bank partnered with CFA Society Nigeria on the CFA Universities Ethics Challenge. It was also a major partner of the 15th Junior Achievement Company of the Year competition, presenting the FirstBank CEO award to Team Mauritius (Plantura).

FirstBank has also invested in leadership development for over 2,000 female employees through the FirstBank Women Network, promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The bank screened 340 corporate transactions for ESG risks worth almost ₦5 billion and $340 million for sustainability risks within the year, further integrating ESG considerations into its credit framework. The bank’s commitment to sustainability earned it numerous international awards and recognitions, including Nigeria’s Best Bank for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) at the prestigious Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025, for the second time in a row.

Its commitment to climate governance was demonstrated in its corporate membership of Climate Governance Initiative (CGI) Nigeria, where the bank is a member of the Advisory Board. The bank is also part of the Steering Committee, overseeing operations and strategy. It participated in the Directors’ Engagement Series and led the adoption of IFRS S1 and S2 standards for transparent sustainability disclosures. FirstBank has implemented these standards, enhanced board oversight via its Board Risk Management Committee, and integrated climate considerations into risk management and decision-making.

As FirstBank continues to drive sustainable development in Africa, its efforts serve as a model for other financial institutions to follow. The bank’s achievements demonstrate that sustainability and business growth can go hand-in-hand, creating value for stakeholders and contributing to a more equitable and prosperous future. Looking ahead, FirstBank plans to expand its sustainability efforts through strategic partnerships and innovative solutions. The bank aims to increase its investment in renewable energy projects, expand its financial literacy programmes, and promote sustainable business practices.

Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd (GTBank), the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, Africa’s leading financial services group, today announced the launch of Quick Airtime Loan, an innovative digital solution that gives customers instant access to airtime when they run out of call credit and have limited funds in their bank accounts, ensuring customers can stay connected when it matters most.

In today’s always-on world, running out of airtime is more than a minor inconvenience. It can mean missed opportunities, disrupted plans, and lost connections, often at the very moment when funds are tight and options are limited.

Quick Airtime Loan was created to solve this problem, offering customers instant access to airtime on credit, directly from their bank. With Quick Airtime Loan, eligible GTBank customers can access from ₦100 and up to ₦10,000 by dialing *737*90#. Available across all major mobile networks in Nigeria, the service will soon expand to include data loans, further strengthening its proposition as a reliable on-demand platform.

For years, the airtime credit market has been dominated by Telcos, where charges for this service are at 15%.

GTBank is now changing the narrative by offering a customer-centric, bank-led digital alternative priced at 2.95%. Built on transparency, convenience, and affordability, Quick Airtime Loan has the potential to broaden access to airtime, deliver meaningful cost savings for millions of Nigerians, and redefine how financial services show up in everyday life, not just in banking moments.

Commenting on the product launch, Miriam Olusanya, Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd, said: “Quick Airtime Loan reflects GTBank’s continued focus on delivering digital solutions that are relevant, accessible, and built around real customer needs. The solution underscores the power of a connected financial ecosystem, combining GTBank’s digital reach and lending expertise with the capabilities of HabariPay to deliver a smooth, end-to-end experience. By leveraging unique strengths across the Group, we are able to accelerate innovation, strengthen execution, and deliver a more integrated customer experience across all our service channels.”

Importantly, Quick Airtime Loan highlights GTCO’s evolution as a fully diversified financial services group. Leveraging HabariPay’s Squad, the solution reinforces the Group’s ecosystem proposition by bringing together banking, payment technology, and digital channels to deliver intuitive, one-stop experiences for customers.

With this new product launch, Guaranty Trust Bank is extending its legacy of pioneering digital-first solutions that have redefined customer access to financial services across the industry, building on the proven strength of its widely adopted QuickCredit offering and the convenience of the Bank’s iconic *737# USSD Banking platform.

Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has unveiled a diaspora banking and investment platform designed to serve Africans living and working across the world and within the continent.

The platform, launched in collaboration with leading ecosystem partners including United Capital, Africa Prudential, UBA Pensions, Afriland Properties, Heirs Insurance Group, and Avon Healthcare Limited, represents a major step in redefining diaspora banking beyond remittances toward structured wealth creation and long-term investment.

At the unveiling, which took place at UBA’s global headquarters in Lagos under the theme: “Beyond Banking: Powering the Global African Lifestyle, all the company representatives were on hand to showcase a seamless platform that goes beyond remittances, wealth creation, protection, and long-term prosperity.

Speaking at the event, UBA’s Head of Diaspora Banking, Anant Rao, described the initiative as a strategic shift in how Africa engages its global citizens.

“For decades, Africa’s engagement with its diaspora has focused largely on remittances. Today, we are moving beyond that. This platform represents a transition from simple money transfers to a financial ecosystem where Africans globally can bank, make payments, invest, protect their families, and build long-term wealth seamlessly,” he said.

Rao noted that African diaspora remittance flows exceed $100 billion annually, making them one of the most resilient and consistent sources of capital into the continent.

“Diaspora capital is not just a flow of funds — it is a strategic growth partner for Africa.
Our role is to provide a trusted platform that converts capital into structured investment and shared prosperity across the continent.”

The objective is to provide a platform that brings together offerings across the numerous needs of the Global African, including Banking and payments, Investments, securities services, asset management, Insurance, Pensions, real estate, and other services.

Through this coordinated ecosystem, diaspora customers can access financial solutions across multiple sectors through a single trusted platform, enabling them to manage their financial lives and family commitments across borders with ease and transparency.

UBA’s Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Alero Ladipo, emphasised the importance of collaboration in delivering a seamless diaspora experience.

“The modern African is a global citizen — mobile, ambitious, and deeply connected to home. Whether living in Africa, Europe, the Americas, or the Middle East, there must be a structured and secure financial connection back home. This platform ensures that Africans everywhere can remain economically connected to the continent with confidence and transparency.”

Partners within the ecosystem highlighted growing demand among diaspora Africans for structured investment opportunities, secure property ownership, insurance protection, and long-term financial planning.

United Capital showcased globally accessible investment products designed to deliver professionally managed and transparent wealth creation opportunities.

Afriland Properties emphasised structured and well-governed real estate investment pathways for diaspora clients.

Heirs Insurance highlighted protection solutions for life and assets, while Avon Healthcare Limited demonstrated healthcare access and insurance solutions for families across borders.

Africa Prudential and UBA Pension reinforced digital investment management and long-term pension savings solutions designed to support diaspora participation in African capital markets.

Together, the partners underscored a shared commitment to providing diaspora Africans with credible, transparent, and professionally managed financial pathways.

Rao also reiterated the guiding philosophy of Africapitalism, championed by UBA’s Founder and Chairman, Mr. Tony O. Elumelu, CFR.

He explained that Africapitalism is the belief that Africa’s private sector must play a leading role in the continent’s development by making long-term investments that generate both economic returns and social impact.

As Africa continues to position itself as one of the world’s most dynamic growth frontiers, UBA believes mobilising diaspora capital through trusted financial institutions will be central to shaping the continent’s next phase of development.

“Africa will increasingly be financed by Africans themselves, including Africans abroad,” Rao added.
“Our responsibility is to build the trusted financial infrastructure that makes this possible.”

“When Africa’s global citizens invest back into Africa, growth becomes inevitable,” he concluded.