Process

Titre degradé

Process

Sustainability is a foundational principle of BANK OF AFRICA’s vision and growth. More than simply a strategic driver, it is integrated into the very core of its development and corporate culture. The Group has made sustainable development a top priority, setting up the BMCE Bank Foundation in 1995 to demonstrate its ongoing commitment to shared value creation, social inclusion and human development. 

In 2000, BANK OF AFRICA once again showed leadership by signing the UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) Statement of Commitment by Financial Institutions on the Environment and Sustainable Development, an important milestone in the integration of sustainability principles into its practices. The Bank formalised this commitment by introducing a Corporate Social Responsibility Charter, which serves as a guiding document for the activities of the Group and its subsidiaries in Morocco and internationally. 

Attentive to international trends, BANK OF AFRICA revised and updated this Charter as part of the new ESG strategy approved by the Board of Directors in June 2023. This strategy, perfectly aligned with Vision 2030, allows the Group to incorporate the latest standards and best practices in the areas of societal and environmental responsibility. 

The new strategy is the result of a thorough analysis of internal processes and a reassessment of related risks and opportunities. This analysis allowed the Group to clearly define its social, societal, environmental and ethical responsibilities. Perfectly aligned with the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals, the strategy is underpinned by five main areas of commitment aimed at increasing BANK OF AFRICA’s positive impact and supporting sustainable development on the continent.

1. Proactive integration of sustainability into the Group’s governance and performance steering practices 
2. Innovative offers and services for climate change resilience and environmental transition 
3. Confidence in human capital and value creation by the Group’s talented workforce 
4. Confidence, customer satisfaction and market share growth 
5. A vector for human and regional development

1. Proactive integration of sustainability into the Group’s governance and performance steering practices

• Effectiveness of Board independence and respect for shareholder rights 
• Integration of ESG factors into the risk review remit for reputational, legal, operational, credit and liquidity risks 
• Self-assessing the Group's sustainability performance and regular reporting 
• Full-scale implementation of the Environmental and Social Risk Management System in lending and investment activities and in financing-related partnerships 
• Strict compliance with business ethics and the requirements of supervisory and regulatory authorities – preventing corruption, fraud, money laundering and terrorism financing; anti-competitive practices etc. 
• Responsible purchasing and business relations: defining and implementing in a structured manner the duty of vigilance across the entire chain of activity – human rights, environment and health across the supply chain and subsidiaries

2. Innovative offers and services for climate change resilience and environmental transition

• Developing products and services enabling customers to adapt to the effects of climate change 
• Mitigating the environmental footprint from the Bank’s activities across the 3 scopes 
• Developing Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) and green investment 
• Developing R&D for banking products based on sustainability criteria (sustainability, green and social-linked loans and bonds)

3. Confidence in human capital and value creation by the Group’s talented workforce

• Non-discrimination, diversity and equal opportunity 
• Continuously improving and recognising skills; proactively managing technological transformations and providing individualised support for mobility and career choices 
• Occupational health, safety, prevention, well-being and quality of life in the workplace 
• Effectiveness and efficiency of collective bargaining and social dialogue

4. Confidence, customer satisfaction and market share growth

• Continuously developing digitised services and innovative products accessible to as many as possible 
• Information security and personal data protection 
• Customer loyalty and growing market share 
• Respecting the rules of healthy competition 
• Preventing over-indebtedness

5. A vector for human and regional development

• Developing services that are accessible to young people, women, and SMEs 
• Positive impact finance – education, social and women’s entrepreneurship, financial inclusion and support for microfinance and financial education 
• Contributing to causes of general interest and promoting access to arts, culture and learning 
• Ongoing dialogue with stakeholders