Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) continues to redefine what it means to be a banking partner who goes beyond finance to create value through technical insight, innovative solutions, and a shared commitment to sustainable development.

Our recent recognition at the 2025 International Finance Corporation (IFC) Awards is a powerful affirmation of this purpose, with accolades that reflect both our expert leadership and the tangible impact of our partnerships.

Sustainability as a key driver of value

At Nedbank CIB, sustainability is not just service offering – it's a strategic imperative. As the only bank in South Africa equipped to deliver EDGE certifications, we've played a pivotal role in transforming our nation's commercial property landscape while keeping sustainability at the core of our approach. Our deep technical expertise and focus on measurable outcomes have positioned us as prominent leaders in sustainable finance, formally recognised by the IFC, who honoured our sectoral impact by naming Nedbank CIB the EDGE Expert of the Year at the 2025 IFC Awards.

This recognition was further amplified when our EDGE certification of Mall of Africa won project of the Year. The achievement reflects the strength of our technical partnership and the impact of our collaborative approach, setting a new benchmark for sustainable retail and property finance in Africa.

Leading the sustainability journey with innovative green building solutions

Among our extensive portfolio of sustainability-driven projects, the Mall of Africa stands out as a global first. In partnership with Attaq Limited, our Nedbank CIB Property Finance Team supported the mall in achieving its EDGE Advanced certification, making it not only the largest real estate asset worldwide to be EDGE certified, but also the first South African shopping centre to earn this distinction.  

Spanning over 484 800 square meters, the mall achieved a 53% reduction in water usage and a 28% reduction in electricity consumption – efficiencies equivalent to powering 27 800 homes a year.  As the appointed EDGE Technical Expert, Nedbank CIB guided the certification process from operational assessments to targeted interventions, ensuring the project met the rigorous EDGE benchmarks set by the IFC.  

'This was a complex, operational retail space, which added an extra layer of challenge to the certification process,' says Naicker. 'By working closely with the client and leveraging our in-house technical skills, we helped deliver an outcome that redefines sustainable retail.'

This milestone builds on our earlier collaboration with Attacq on the EDGE certification of the Nexus office development, reinforcing the value of sustained partnerships in achieving long-term impact. Attacq's recognition as EDGE Project of the Year is a testament to the strength of their vision and the depth of our technical expertise in bringing it to life.

Nedbank CIB's prominent role in sustainable property finance

The IFC's recognition of Nedbank CIB affirms our leadership in redifining  property finance across Africa. These accolades  not only pay credit to a single project but acknowledge the breadth of our influence, from landmark developments to urban renewal and affordable housing, where sustainability is  embedded as a key driver of long-term value.

At the heart of this recognition is our Building Efficiency Scale, an independently quality-assured benchmark that enables clients to unlock measurable efficiencies, lower energy consumption, reduce costs, and significantly improve living standards. This scale has become a cornerstone of our strategy to accelerate climate-smart urban developments at scale.

The impact of this tool is tangible. In Johannesburg's inner city, we transformed a dormant office block into 144 EDGE-certified affordable apartments, advancing regeneration, densification, and community upliftment. At a national level, we pioneered South Africa's first Green Residential Development Bond, opening new avenues to more accessible, socially inclusive, and sustainable housing.

Collectively, these initiatives demonstrate how Nedbank CIB is not just financing buildings – we're reconstructing the future of our cities where economic resilience, environmental responsibility, and human well-being converge.

Delivering impact through expertise

These projects and innovations illustrate Nedbank CIB's ever-evolving role in the banking landscape, proving that our contribution extends far beyond financial solutions. We deliver technical expertise, sustainable leadership, and lasting transformation.  

'Our role as a bank is evolving,' says Naicker. 'We're no longer just a financier. We're a technical partner, a sustainability strategist, and a catalyst for long-term value. It's about finding unexpected connections that move our clients, and our cities, forward.' 

Both the Mall of Africa project and the initiatives supported through our Building Efficiency Scale reflect our belief that businesses operate within an broader ecosystem where built environments, ESG goals, tenant needs, and community impact are deeply interconnected.  

By reframing what's possible in commercial and residential property finance, Nedbank CIB is accelerating the transition to a low-carbon, inclusive, and environmentally responsible  economy. Our recognition at the 2025 IFC Awards affirms not only our leadership but also the responsibility we've embraced to shape the future of Africa's built environment through sustainable, innovative, and high-impact solutions.