Global Finance Sustainable Finance Awards

Global Finance has announced the winners of its fifth annual Sustainable Finance Awards, honouring achievements in 2025. Winners have been chosen in 53 countries, territories, and districts. Honourees have also been chosen in multiple global and regional categories.

This awards programme recognises global, regional, and local leadership in sustainable finance – funding for initiatives designed to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change and help build a more sustainable future.

Furthermore, the Global Finance Sustainable Finance Awards reflect the innovation, achievement, strategy, progressive, and inspirational changes within the global financial community and climate finance, which Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) is proud to have been recognised for.

Nedbank CIB’s achievements in sustainable finance

The Global Finance Awards voted Nedbank CIB as the overall country winner for Best Bank for Sustainable Finance in South Africa for 2025. This is the second consecutive year we’re receiving this award, demonstrating our expertise and leadership in sustainable finance.

This remarkable achievement is a testament to Nedbank CIB's commitment and our expertise and leadership when it comes to driving sustainability and environmental responsibility within the financial sector.

As a market leader in the delivery of innovative renewable energy solutions and sustainable finance solutions as well as an advisory partner to many leading South African organisations, Nedbank CIB has shown versatility across multiple genres, paired with strong deal execution capabilities and alignment with our clients’ financial strategies.

Key sustainable finance initiatives by Nedbank CIB

We believe that by having aligned our business strategy to deliver innovative solutions with sustainability at its heart, we are making positive impact on the planet and society, while enhancing long-term financial performance and resilience in climate finance.

We offer a range of products and services that support the transition to a low-carbon economy and foster social inclusion through our sustainable finance solutions. These include sustainability structuring and co-ordinating large impactful transactions across the loan and bond capital markets.

Impact of Nedbank CIB’s sustainable finance projects

Nedbank CIB is a purpose-led organisation that is intentional about the value we create and the impact we have on our employees, clients, shareholders, and society at large.

On 7 November 2024, Nedbank CIB issued its debut Sustainability Tier 2 note – a groundbreaking move due to its diverse 'use of proceeds' categories, supporting climate-smart agriculture, affordable housing for women, and water infrastructure. This issuance makes Nedbank the first South African bank to tackle this combination of critical local issues in a single note, attracting investors with its robust structure and record low pricing for a Tier 2 note at the time of issuance. The bond addresses social and environmental challenges, combining the 3 key areas highlighted above into an innovative solution that meets real needs.

How Nedbank CIB is leading in sustainable banking

Nedbank CIB has had many firsts demonstrating our leading position in energy and sustainability. Some of these are listed below:

• First South African company to proactively table climate-related resolutions – passed by its shareholders. 
• First bank in South Africa to join the UNEP FI principles for responsible banking.
• First African bank to adopt the equator principles.
• First South African bank to list a renewable energy bond on the green bond segment of the JSE in 2019.
• First South African bank to have issued a USD sustainability-linked loan with bespoke KPI indicators linked to a reduction in carbon emissions.

The importance of sustainable finance in today’s world

Financing sustainable business has strong financial and broader societal benefits, which is why sustainable finance continues to gain traction.