DBN Bags Sustainable Development Certification
Assures on deepening investment growth
BY COBHAM NSA – For taking robust steps at integrating sustainability standards in its operations, Nigeria’s premier development finance institution, Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) is now basking in the euphoria of accreditation in line with Sustainable Standards and Certification Initiatives (SSCI)
This is all thanks to the Certificate of Acceptance endorsement by the World Development Finance Forum (WDFF) in Germany.
Nigeria’s Ambassador to Germany, Mr Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, represented by Deputy Chief of Mission of Nigeria to Germany, Mrs Mobolaji Sakirat Ogundaro, received the certificate on behalf of DBN.
Speaking at the occasion, Mrs Ogundaro said; “This accreditation demonstrates the level of commitment by the Development Bank of Nigeria in integrating sustainability standards in its operations and also advocating for the adoption of principles of sustainability in the financial ecosystem in Nigeria.”
On his part, the Bank’s Managing Director, Tony Okpanachi expressed appreciation to the World Development Finance Forum for recognising its selfless works at repositioning development financing for effective service delivery in Nigeria.
He promised that DBN will not relent in efforts aimed at deepening its investments in the area of sustainability and growth.
In his words; “The award shows that we’re doing something right and the international community has acknowledged that. As part of our strategy to deepen the impact on the Nigerian economy, we have equipped our Bank with additional expertise and structures in the area of sustainability.
“We recognize the benefits of acceptance into an elite accreditation forum such as the Sustainability Standards and Certification Initiative (SSCI) and we do not take it for granted.”
Also in his remarks appreciating Mrs Ogundaro and the Nigerian Mission in Germany, the Chief Executive Officer, Financial Nigeria International, Nigeria representative of European Union Strategy for Sustainable Development (EOSD), Jide Akintunde said; “Please I would like to offer my deep appreciation to your Excellency, for graciously representing the country and the two Nigerian financial institutions, Development Bank of Nigeria Plc and Access Bank Plc, to receive the certificates and awards on their behalf”.
SSCI is a global initiative for developing and maintaining the first holistic, universally accepted, and an executable set of across-the-board sustainability standards.
The standards are established by consensus among stakeholders and adopted voluntarily by the value-driven financial institutions.
The DBN was conceived by the Federal Government, in collaboration with global development partners, to address major financing challenges facing Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Since inception, DBN has continued to impact the economy by providing access to finance, capacity building initiatives for PFIs, and MSMEs, as well as de-risking facilities through a credit guarantee scheme to facilitate sustainable socio-economic development of the underserved, but critical sub-sectors.
