NCBA Group has taken a major step to implement its sustainability agenda by bringing out a bold plan to facilitate inter-connected green and sustainable financing of KES 30 billion by 2030, on top of an annual pledge of KES 100 million for community and environmental projects.
The “Change the Story” concept introduced in 2023, with which the strategy was revealed, is an ideal fit for the SDGs, placing heavy emphasis on climate action, gender equality, and economic resilience as three core areas.
One of the bank’s pledges in the plan is to make available KES 2 billion for car (EV) financing and to be the leader in the installation of EV recharging stations in the region. Among other targets for the organization’s operations, NCBA is aiming to reduce its direct emissions by half by 2030, going totally plastic-free, recycling all waste, and gradually adopting green energy in the supply chain in accordance with the Paris Agreement.
NCBA is not only focusing on climate change issues but also increasing its social investments. The bank in February 2025 disbursed KES 12 million to provide scholarships and support programs that will impact more than 150 students. It also renewed the Boys Mentorship Programme with the Kenya Community Development Foundation.
Kids and sports are just as important to the bank. In January 2025, NCBA injected a KES 60 million investment into supporting 159 golf tournaments across East Africa, including 75 junior and 12 pro events. It is hoped that this program will introduce qualifications for youth golf coaches and at the same time create a path that leads to competition on the Olympic level.
The bank is putting as much energy into women’s economic empowerment as well. By renewing a US$30 million covered loan with the African Guarantee Fund, the NCBA Bank’s emphasis will be on women’s SMEs and green sectors, thus creating more than 7,200 jobs, including 2,200 for women and 4,100 for youth. The 2X Challenge collaboration with Proparco to the tune of KES 6.5 billion further supports women entrepreneurs and clean financing reaching more than 1,600 MSMEs.
NCBA Group Managing Director John Gachora stated: “Sustainability is the bank’s ticket to success changing, innovating, and becoming the leader of Africa’s radical solutions.” Through the increased use of EV, which will remove 1.5 million tons of CO2 per year in Uganda by 2030, the bank is positioning itself as the prime the continent’s green future.