Our sustainability strategy was devised in 2017 and is based on the 4 pillars of sustainability namely: Workplace Responsibility, Marketplace Responsibility, Social Responsibility and Environmental Responsibility. Throughout the years, we have focused on these 4 pillars to lead the integration of the Sustainable Development Goals within the Bank. The core focus was the development of our Social Responsibility Pillar, through the AfrAsia Foundation. We worked on changing the mindset of our staff and instill a culture of Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability. Several projects under the different pillars are currently in progress namely:

Figure 1: Our 2021 Sustainability Strategy

Through our flagship annual event, the AfrAsia Bank Sustainability Summit, we also forge strong relationships and partnerships on sustainability topics across sectors.

Our collaboration with the United Nations also allowed us to take the lead in the incorporation of the Global Compact Network (Mauritius) Foundation. AfrAsia Bank currently chairs the board for the foundation and is recognized as one of the founder members.

Now that the groundworks have been laid, and keeping in mind, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we are realigning our sustainability agenda with a core focus on the development of our Foundation, greening of our Internal operations and growth of our sustainable Financial Products portfolio as well as the implementation of quantitative targets to monitor our progress.

A sustainability committee was set up in 2018 with representatives from each department (sustainability champions) to drive sustainability at the Bank. The champions have been trained by an MQA accredited training institution and are the main advocates of sustainability in their respective departments. The committee will be formalized with clear commitments from each Head of Departments and the duties and responsibilities of the champions will be clearly defined.

The outbreak of COVID-19 in late December 2019 has had an unprecedented impact on the corporate world. From 19 March 2020 to 30 May 2020, Mauritius had imposed a “sanitary” lockdown and curfew for all the population and businesses.

As a Bank, AfrAsia has been able to keep its business running smoothly through the promotion of Work from home (WFH) during COVID-19, we asked 400+ of our staff to work as per this system. During a survey done by our HR department, it has been noted that more than 85% of respondents want to see WFH implemented on a regular basis. Our clients have also been encouraged to Bank Digitally.

From a Corporate Sustainability and CSR point of view, our two main projects were impacted:

1. AfrAsia Bank Sustainability Summit (ABSS) – the third edition of the ABSS has been postponed for 2021.
2. AfrAsia School – Home schooling measures have had to be implemented for the AfrAsia Kids by Ti-Rayons Soleil in order to ensure that they are not missing out on their learning activities during the lockdown. Phase 3 of AfrAsia School plans for extension has been postponed.

ABL’s financial performance is directly impacted by risks correlated to sustainability. The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated how certain businesses are vulnerable and unable to cope with unexpected crisis. AfrAsia Bank aims to conduct a complete sustainability risk assessment in the upcoming years.

The Customer Experience (CX) department ensures that the Bank delivers a positive and seamless customer experience at every touch point across the customer life cycle.

Culture meetings have been held for each department and same was facilitated by the Human Resources team in collaboration with the culture Ambassadors.

The DARE Culture Ambassadors Group wishes to positively impact and influence all staff, by encouraging them in adopting the People, Planet and Profit approach in the activities that meet the needs of the enterprise and its stakeholders today while protecting, sustaining and enhancing the human and natural resources that will be needed in the future.