As Africa grapples with deep-rooted energy poverty and mounting climate pressures, financial services provider Standard Bank is positioning itself as a key enabler of a pragmatic just energy transition. For Africa’s largest lender, this does not mean choosing between renewables and fossil fuels, but rather ensuring that both are harnessed responsibly to fuel inclusive growth. Standard Bank views upstream oil and gas not as a legacy burden, but as a growth lever for emerging African economies. It cites countries, such as Mozambique, Angola, Nigeria and Ghana, which continue to rely on fossil fuel exports to fund national budgets, build infrastructure and stimulate job creation.
