Grow with Africa
Further to its unique positioning, Societe Generale's long history of sharing with Africa is rooted in the financing of the real economy and its loyalty to the continent, and encourages the Bank to take a responsible look at the development of the African continent.
This commitment had been reaffirmed in Societe Generale's "Transform to Grow" strategic plan in the end of 2017. It made its African activities one of the pillars of the Group's growth, and at the same time builds on a CSR ambition that lays the "Contribution to the sustainable development of Africa" as a major axis.
Convinced that this contribution requires openness and partnerships, Societe Generale decided to put its proximity, its various expertise and a dynamic of innovation at the service of the prosperity of the continent. It has chosen to become even more engaged by including all stakeholders willing to respond to the specific conditions in which the sustainable development of the African continent is thought to be, and convinced that the destinies of our two continents are linked more than ever.
This is how was born the initiative:
GROW WITH AFRICA
The Grow with Africa initiative aims to contribute collectively to the sustainable development of Africa, in partnership with local territories and actors as well as international experts, by establishing dialogue, listening and sharing innovative means and approaches.
Thanks to its intimate knowledge of the territories in which it operates, Societe Generale identified at the time of the launch of the initiative four areas of development to support the sustainable development of the African continent: support and financing for African SMEs, infrastructure financing, financial inclusion and innovative financing.
After a first positive assessment in 2022, Societe Generale has decided to pursue the approach with a second phase: "Grow with Africa 2025". Its purpose? To accelerate the support of positive transformations on the continent, and more particularly the energy transition and the development of territories. This translates into an adaptation of the 4 axes of the initiative:
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By Philippe Dubois, Head of Corporate for International Retail Banking, Africa, Mediterranean Basin & Overseas (AFMO).