Financial leaders from across East and Southern Africa gathered in Mwanza from July 14 to 18 for the 22nd East African Banking School Conference, with a focus on rethinking the future of banking in light of sustainability, climate risk, and economic inclusion. With the theme “Leading Regional Banking Sectors Towards a Sustainability-Driven Future,” the conference highlighted how environmental, social, and governance (ESG) priorities are moving from the margins into the operational core of financial institutions.
The gathering brought together regulators, commercial banks, sustainability experts, and fintech innovators to assess how the region’s financial systems can adapt to growing environmental pressures and shifting social needs. Delegates explored how banks must evolve their models—not only to meet regulatory expectations but also to remain relevant in a world facing intensifying climate disruptions and economic volatility.
Sessions throughout the five-day event addressed sustainability reporting, green finance, infrastructure investment, and inclusive banking practices. Particular attention was given to the practical integration of ESG into lending, governance, and long-term risk strategies. Experts noted that while the language of sustainability is increasingly common in African banking, implementation still lags behind, often due to capacity gaps, lack of data, or unclear incentives.
There was strong emphasis on aligning banking with broader development goals, particularly in supporting small enterprises, rural clients, and women-led businesses. The role of digital financial services in expanding access—especially in underserved regions like rural Tanzania—was highlighted as a growing success story with room for further investment.
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The conference also touched on institutional resilience. With climate-related risks such as droughts, floods, and energy instability posing real financial threats, institutions were encouraged to revisit traditional risk models and adopt more adaptive frameworks. Discussions explored how climate risks can be priced into lending and how green infrastructure can be financed without overexposure.
Regional governments also made the case for banking support in advancing national development plans. Mwanza’s local leadership emphasized the region’s economic potential in agriculture, fisheries, and trade, urging banks to direct capital into productive sectors while ensuring long-term environmental and social returns.
While ESG uptake across the continent remains uneven, the tone of the Mwanza conference signaled a shift toward deeper alignment between finance and sustainability. The event served not only as a technical forum, but as a platform to reinforce the idea that the future of banking in East Africa will be shaped as much by its impact as by its profits.
The next challenge for the region’s financial institutions lies in turning these discussions into action—through policy reforms, new financial instruments, and a clearer mandate for banks to help build resilient, inclusive, and climate-conscious economies.
