Mrs. Ochuko Keyamo-Onyige, CAMA Country Manager, spoke about “Opportunities for Private Sector in Malaria Control and Elimination” at the Nigerian Sustainable Banking Principles (NSBP) Steering Committee Meeting, held at Zenith Bank headquarters on Wednesday, February 24, 2020.

The banking sector recognizes they are uniquely positioned to further economic growth and sustainable development in Nigeria. This led to the adoption of the NSBP Principles in 2012. The NSBP consist of nine principles for managing environmental and social risks in business decisions. They address issues related to the environment, human rights, partnerships, good governance, accountability, capacity building, reporting, etc.

One of the driving forces behind the development and implementation of the NSBP was Access Bank Plc. Today, in addition to being appointed the Chair of the Steering Committee of the NBSP, the bank continues to be committed to championing health and sustainability issues.

CAMA and its members believe that business cannot succeed unless societies are healthy; furthermore, realizing a world free of malaria is beyond the reach of one company. This agenda will require collaboration across sectors, as well as innovative multi-stakeholder partnerships with governments and civil society. Mrs. Keyamo-Onyige called on more businesses in the banking sector to join the fight against malaria.

Speaking from a business perspective, Mrs. Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan, Head of Sustainability, Access Bank, and CAMA Co-chair, further commented that Access Bank has several CSR programs which have been implemented in collaboration with sustainability-focused organizations like CAMA. She explained that collaborations and partnerships have enabled Access Bank to leverage these types of platforms to harness potential growth and sustainable development in Nigeria – benefiting both society as a whole and the bank.