(L-R: Wole Adeniyi, Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Bank; Lawrence Amadi, Partner, Tech Risk and Assurance, KPMG, Nigeria; Olu Akanmu, Adjunct Faculty, and Director, Tech-Leap Initiative, Lagos Business School; Tosin Leye-Odeyemi, Head, Sustainability, Risk and Capital Management, Stanbic IBTC, Holdings Plc; Kunle Adedeji, Ag. Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc at the just concluded Stanbic IBTC Sustainable Finance Summit 2.0 which held in Lagos)
Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, in partnership with the Lagos Business School Sustainability Centre (LBSSC), successfully convened the Sustainable Finance Summit 2.0 at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. Themed “Financing Resilience: Digital Innovation and AI for Climate-Smart Communities,” the Summit brought together more than 500 leaders across banking, fintech, development finance, policy, technology, and academia to explore how sustainable finance and artificial intelligence (AI) can catalyse inclusive, climate-resilient growth across Africa.
In his welcome address, Wole Adeniyi, Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Bank, emphasised the urgency of aligning finance with Africa’s development realities. He said: “Finance must do more than grow economies; it must build inclusive, climate-smart communities. That is why Stanbic IBTC remains a catalyst, connector, and champion at the intersection of finance, technology, and sustainability.”
Prof. Kemi Ogunyemi, Professor of Business Ethics and Member of the Management Board, Lagos Business School, situated the summit in the context of Africa’s historic opportunity. She remarked: “Artificial Intelligence, therefore, offers a golden doorway to navigate and exit our developmental challenges if properly and timely harnessed. The intersection of sustainable finance and AI will be a game-changer not just for Nigeria but for the continent. This is a watershed moment for Africa and Nigeria, and a call to seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Delivering the keynote, Segun Ajayi, Country Director, Oracle Nigeria, stressed the transformative role of technology: “Artificial Intelligence is not a silver bullet, but a catalyst. When aligned with sustainable finance, it has the power to help Africa leapfrog barriers, close its climate finance gap, and build economies that are not only resilient but transformative. Climate resilience must be both technologically sound and socially just and that is the opportunity before us.”
A case study was presented by Bunmi Dayo-Olagunju, Deputy Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Bank, who shared: “Our journey at Stanbic IBTC has shown that by leveraging digital tools, we can manage climate risk better and unlock new opportunities for sustainable investments. We are not just financing growth; we are financing resilience.”
In his insight presentation, Lawrence Amadi, Partner, Tech Risk and Assurance at KPMG Nigeria, highlighted both opportunities and risks in digitising sustainable finance: “Algorithms and AI will define the future of finance, but only if we embed governance and risk frameworks that ensure trust, transparency, and accountability. The technology is not the challenge; how we use it is.” Olu Akanmu, Adjunct Faculty, and Director, Tech-Leap Initiative, Lagos Business School, moderated the Q and A session and fireside chat with Lawrence Amadi after his presentation.
The high-level panel discussion on “Closing the Climate Finance Gap: How Digital Platforms are Unlocking Capital for Grassroots Resilience” underscored the importance of blended finance, policy reforms, and grassroots innovation. The panellists submitted that: “Digital platforms have the power to democratise access to climate finance, but it will take bold partnerships and regulatory support to scale them.” The panel session was moderated by Dr Constance Omawumi Kola-Lawal, ESR Consultant, International Finance Corporation (IFC), and Managing Partner, Technical Operations,
Climate Synergy. It comprised Dr. Babs Omotowa, Independent Non-Executive Director, Stanbic IBTC Holdings; Babajide Duroshola, CEO, M-KOPA; Chidi Amudo, CEO, Mudozangl; Babajide Oluwase, CEO, Ecotutu; and Emmanuel Etaderhi, Executive Secretary, Financial Centre for Sustainability (FC4S), Lagos.
(Panelists at the summit with Chief Executives of Stanbic IBTC from L-R: Tosin Leye-Odeyemi, Head, Sustainability, Risk and Capital Management, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc; Babajide Oluwase, CEO, Ecotutu; Chidi Amudo, Co-Founder and Group CEO, Mudozangl; Bunmi Dayo-Olagunju, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Bank; Wole Adeniyi, Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Bank; Dr Constance Omawumi Kola Lawal, ESR Consultant, International Finance Corporation (IFC) & Managing Partner, Technical Operations, Climate Synergy; Babajide Duroshola, Gen Manager, Nigeria, M-KOPA; Dr. Babs Omotowa, Independent Non-executive Director, Stanbic IBTC Holdings; Emmanuel Etaderhi, Executive Secretary, Financial Centre for Sustainability (FC4S), Lagos; and Kunle Adedeji, Ag. Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc)
Reflecting on the discussions, Dr. Sylke Jellema, Research Fellow at LBSSC, distilled three anchors: “Opportunity, mobilisation, and scale. These are the building blocks for systemic change in sustainable finance, and they must guide how we move from conversation to implementation.”
In his closing remarks, Kunle Adedeji, Acting Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, reaffirmed the organisation’s vision: “Leveraging digital innovation and AI for climate action is not just a global target; it is about local communities. It is about ensuring access to energy and water, strengthening our food systems, and building resilience against real risks like flooding and drought. This summit is not an end, but the beginning of a new chapter of collaboration.”
Delivering the vote of thanks, Mrs. Tosin Leye-Odeyemi, Head, Sustainability, Risk and Capital Management at Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, concluded: “We will continue to drive innovation in sustainable products, thematic bonds, and advisory services to ensure Africa’s capital flows are aligned with the SDGs and long-term prosperity. Today’s summit has deepened the momentum for collective action.”
At the conclusion of the event, participants aligned on four strategic priorities: advancing Africa’s role in global sustainable finance through homegrown innovation; strengthening enabling policy and regulatory frameworks; mobilising partnerships across the public and private sectors; and showcasing cutting-edge AI and digital applications that future-proof ESG investments on the continent.
The Sustainable Finance Summit 2.0 affirmed that Africa is not on the sidelines of the fourth industrial revolution, but is actively shaping it. By integrating sustainability, innovation, and finance, leaders are charting new and bold pathways for climate-smart, inclusive, and resilient communities across the continent.
About Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc
Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc is a member of Standard Bank Group, Africa’s largest banking group by assets. With a strong commitment to sustainability, Stanbic IBTC is pioneering innovative financial solutions that bridge capital to climate-smart, socially inclusive investments for Nigeria and beyond.
About Lagos Business School Sustainability Centre
The LBS Sustainability Centre is a leading knowledge hub in Africa, advancing sustainable business practices through research, executive education, and multi-stakeholder engagement. The Centre is an initiative of the prestigious Lagos Business School, Pan-Atlantic University.
