By Dr. Terence Sibiya
As Nedbank Group reflects on its strong interim performance, it is increasingly evident that the future of our growth lies in the heart of Africa. The Nedbank Africa Regions (NAR) cluster, comprising Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, and Zimbabwe with representative offices in Kenya and Ghana, has emerged as a strategic growth engine, delivering commendable results and unlocking new opportunities across the continent.
In a year marked by global uncertainty and regional complexity, NAR delivered a respectable set of numbers. This performance is not only a testament to our operational resilience but also a true reflection that Africa is a key growth lever for the Nedbank Group.
Across our regions, we are witnessing the emergence of industries that are reshaping local economies and creating inclusive growth.
In Eswatini, digital innovation and fintech’s are gaining momentum, with a growing ecosystem of mobile-first solutions and tech-enabled SMEs. Our leadership in client satisfaction in this market reflects our alignment with national digital ambition. This is in line with exploring inorganic expansion opportunities driving our digital first agenda.
Lesotho is emerging as a hub for sustainable textiles and renewable energy, we are supporting green industrialization through tailored financial solutions and cross-border trade facilitation. Our continued support of SME’s remains strong.
Mozambique is advancing in climate-smart agriculture and liquefied natural gas (LNG) development, with international investment catalyzing infrastructure and energy transformation.
Namibia is leading the continent in green hydrogen, sustainable finance and mining, supported by a national strategy that aligns with Nedbank’s ESG commitments.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe is experiencing growth in creative industries and digital commerce, with youth-led enterprises redefining the informal economy and driving innovation.
Supporting these emerging trends is aligned to our brand promise—Money Experts Who Do Good—is more than a positioning statement. It’s a strategic imperative guiding our approach to financial inclusion, sustainable development, and community upliftment.
In NAR, we deliver on this promise through a range of impactful initiatives.
We’ve committed to financing initiatives and businesses aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), supporting renewable energy, climate-resilient infrastructure, and inclusive housing. Our ESG-aligned lending and advisory services are helping countries like Namibia and Mozambique transition to greener, more inclusive economies.
Our corporate social investment (CSI) initiatives are focused on education, health, and entrepreneurship, with a particular emphasis on youth and women. In Zimbabwe, our efforts were recognized with the Outstanding ESG/CSI Award for Inclusive Development. We are also committed to financial education, equipping individuals and businesses across our markets with the knowledge to make informed financial decisions and build long-term prosperity.
Africa’s growth must be inclusive, and Nedbank is committed to supporting both businesses and communities. Access to finance is fundamental to economic participation. Through mobile-first platforms such as Send Money, MobiMoney, and USSD banking, we are reaching underserved communities and enabling financial inclusion at scale.
In the first half of 2025, digitally active clients across NAR grew significantly, with app usage and value-added services like airtime and electricity purchases showing strong upward trends.
We have supported financial inclusion and access to financial services to clients and non-Nedbank clients through the following initiatives:
In Namibia, the launch of the Avo SuperShop is connecting merchants to digital marketplaces, expanding access to e-commerce and financial services.
In Mozambique and Zimbabwe, our mobile banking platforms are enabling secure, accessible transactions in environments where traditional banking infrastructure is limited.
In Lesotho, strategic partnerships are enabling seamless cross-border transfers.
In Eswatini, our harmonization journey is aligning digital infrastructure with South Africa, ensuring consistent client experiences across borders. These initiatives are about empowerment, dignity, and creating opportunities.
In our pursuit of advancing financial inclusion and fostering broad-based economic participation, Nedbank recognises that empowering the key drivers of economic activity is essential to achieving sustainable growth. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) form the backbone of African economies, and we are committed to their success. Through strategic investment, tailored support, and innovative financial solutions, Nedbank continues to champion the growth and resilience of this vital sector.
We provide toolkits and training to help entrepreneurs build compliant, resilient businesses. Our affordable point-of-sale (POS) devices enable seamless transactions in informal markets, expanding the reach of financial services. Dedicated relationship managers work closely with our SME clients, offering tailored advice and access to capital —ensuring SMEs not only survive but thrive.
Despite macroeconomic headwinds, our strategy remains focused: to be a catalyst for sustainable growth across Africa. NAR’s performance in the first half of 2025 showed an increase of 63% year-on-year in Headline Earnings (HE) further solidifying our commitment to the continent at large.
As we look ahead, we remain focused on harmonizing our digital infrastructure, deepening financial inclusion, and supporting emerging industries. Our commitment to the continent is unwavering. We’re not just doing business in Africa; we’re building its future—one partnership, one innovation, and one community at a time.
Dr. Terence Sibiya is the Group Managing Executive, Nedbank Africa Regions