For years, sustainability was seen as a moral checkbox — a compliance exercise to appease regulators and stakeholders. Today, though, it’s fast becoming the heartbeat of modern business — shaping how companies grow, compete, and survive in a changing world. From farmers adapting to unpredictable weather to corporates rethinking their carbon footprint, the green transition is no longer a choice — it’s a commercial reality.

But, speaking on HOT Business with Jeremy Maggs, Dr Manessah Alagbaoso, Head of Business Ecosystems & Sustainability at Standard Bank says the narrative has shifted entirely.

“We are now in an era where business growth is defined by how sustainable — by how green — you are,” he explained. “This is no longer about meeting regulatory requirements, but about building resilience, competitiveness, and profitability.”

From compliance to competitiveness

According to Alagbaoso, the climate challenge has evolved into a commercial one. “If businesses don’t adapt, they risk being priced out of their value chains through carbon taxes or exclusion from markets that demand greener standards.” Companies that integrate sustainability into their core strategy are now finding that it unlocks efficiencies, attracts investors, and safeguards long-term growth.

In short, sustainability has become a competitive advantage. It’s not just about saving the planet — it’s about future-proofing a business model in an increasingly carbon-conscious economy.

Listen to Dr Manessah Alagbaoso’s interview on HOT Business with Jeremy Maggs below:

Knowledge as power: The Sustainability Academy

Recognising that many companies still “don’t know what they don’t know,” Standard Bank launched the Sustainability Academy — a free, pan-African learning initiative aimed especially at small and medium enterprises (SMEs). “We made it open to every business out there, whether they bank with us or not,” Alagbaoso said. The goal: to equip businesses with the practical understanding needed to integrate environmental and social responsibility into their operations — without the prohibitive cost of consultants.

Overcoming cost and complexity

For SMEs, sustainability can seem expensive or complex. But Alagbaoso argues that partnership is the answer. Through collaboration with development finance institutions, multilateral agencies, and corporate ecosystems, Standard Bank is helping to structure blended finance models that combine development and commercial funding — lowering barriers to entry for smaller players.

“We all share the same objective: to ensure these businesses succeed in their transition,” he said. “It’s not just about financing — it’s about connecting them to markets, knowledge, and opportunity.”

Building ecosystems, not silos

Alagbaoso describes Standard Bank’s “ecosystem banking” model as a way to link every layer of a value chain — from small suppliers to global corporates — to create transparency, lower risk, and open up new market access. The result is a more inclusive and dynamic economic system, where sustainability isn’t just a boardroom conversation, but a practical growth driver for African enterprise.

“The shift has happened,” Alagbaoso concluded. “Sustainability is not an optional extra. It’s how successful businesses will be defined in the years ahead.”

Learn more about Standard Bank’s Sustainability solutions here.