The drive for global sustainable development continues to gain momentum, with increasing calls for holistic approaches that address present needs without jeopardising the future. As guardians of financial systems, banks play a critical role in mobilising the resources needed to foster transformation across industries. Public development banks (PDBs) are uniquely positioned to champion this shift. Through collaboration, they can create measurable green financial systems that promote sustainability, drive inclusive economic growth, and meet the ambitious goals set out in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement.
Greening financial systems, embedding environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into financial frameworks, is essential for achieving climate resilience, sustainable infrastructure, and economic development. This is particularly critical for regions like Africa, where abundant natural resources, such as critical minerals, require responsible stewardship through local beneficiation and innovative green finance initiatives.
The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) recognises the immense potential of PDBs to drive this transformation. By leveraging its extensive experience in sustainable finance, the organisation continues to lead collaborative efforts aimed at scaling green finance solutions, creating robust ecosystems, and promoting environmental and economic progress.
As co-hosts of the Finance in Common Summit (FICS) 2025, alongside the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the DBSA is committed to creating a platform for engaging, debating, and discussing the pivotal issues shaping the future of green finance. Under the theme “Greening Financial Systems: Unlocking Capital for Climate and Development,” one of the summit breakout sessions offers a unique opportunity for PDBs and other stakeholders to discuss these critical matters.
Since 2012, the Bank has managed the Green Fund, an initiative that has facilitated projects on renewable energy, carbon emission reductions, waste management, and youth empowerment. One standout achievement includes co-arranging funding for three large-scale wind farms in South Africa's Eastern Cape Province, set to deliver 330 MW of renewable energy by 2026.
These efforts not only align with global sustainability goals but also create jobs, stimulate local economies, and reduce carbon footprints. Scaling green financial systems requires robust frameworks, transparent metrics, and rigorous reporting standards to ensure measurable outcomes.
Adopting global benchmarks, such as the EU Taxonomy for Sustainable Activities and the Climate Bonds Initiative, is vital to promoting accountability and impact. The Bank is committed to aligning its programmes with these international standards, ensuring its green finance initiatives meet the highest levels of transparency and effectiveness.
To achieve this, policymakers, regulators, and private stakeholders must collaborate to create enabling environments that attract investments and support green innovations. International organisations, media, and thought leaders also play a vital role in amplifying the call for sustainable finance.
The transition to green financial systems offers immense opportunities to create a resilient, low-carbon future. It requires the collective effort of PDBs, private-sector partners, civil society, and governments to build a legacy of sustainable growth, climate resilience, and shared prosperity. As a co-host of FICS 2025, the Bank will continue to champion these principles, bringing together stakeholders to transform global finance into a force for good.
Now is the time for decisive action. Through collaboration and innovation, we can create measurable and impactful green financial systems that prioritise inclusivity, foster sustainable development, and ensure a thriving future for all.
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About the Development Bank of Southern Africa
The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) is a leading Development Finance Institution (DFI), wholly owned by the government of South Africa. Established in 1983, the DBSA is mandated to promote economic growth and regional integration by mobilising financial and other resources from national and international private and public sectors for sustainable development projects and programmes in South Africa, SADC, and the wider African continent. www.dbsa.org