Standard Chartered reiterates commitment for ongoing 'Here for Africa' campaign

Standard Chartered Bank has announced plans to step up investment and leverage its unique footprint and international banking expertise to drive growth in Africa, Thursday.

Through a new brand campaign, ‘Here for Africa’, the Bank is reiterating its commitment to investing in Africa’s future and continuing to support key growth sectors across local economies, including infrastructure, telecommunications, transport, retail and trade.

Under the Bank’s refreshed global strategy, announced late last year, the Bank reiterated its heightened focus on Africa, seeking to grow its business across all markets, with a keen focus on Corporate and Commercial segments.

Standard Chartered operates across in 38 African economies, 16 on a full presence basis and 22 on a transactional basis.

The Bank’s footprint of 180 branches and outlets now has an extended reach, thanks to the Bank’s continuous evolution of its digital platforms and mobile banking channels.

Speaking in Ghana at the launch of the Africa-focused campaign, the Regional CEO of Africa & Middle East, Sunil Kaushal said, “Africa is an integral and a valuable economic partner region within our unique footprint across the region, Asia and the Middle East. This campaign is about our show of commitment and confidence in a continent that we have been in for over 150 years."

He said they consider themselves a truly African disclosing that every one of the bank's Sub-Saharan CEOs and strategy managers is African adding that their strategy is tailored to suit Africa’s specific trends and business dynamics.

Mr Kaushal added, “We believe in forging strong partnerships which deliver tangible value for all members of Africa’s economies, not just our clients. Our $5 billion commitment to President Obama’s Power Africa campaign, in partnership with African governments, continues to light up new homes and companies to spur income and growth."

"We are encouraging foreign and regional investment in our role as ratings advisor to numerous African governments, linking Africa’s growth potential with more investors across Asia and the Middle East. Africa remains a key area of strategic investment for us as a Group, as we focus on building our own strong franchise and growing safely across the continent,” he added.

Regional CEO for Ghana, Sierra Leone and The Gambia, Kweku Bedu-Addo added, “This year Standard Chartered celebrates 120 years of supporting Ghana’s economic development, making Accra an ideal city to launch our ‘Here for Africa’ campaign.

Standard Chartered Ghana continues to deliver tangible benefits to support local economic growth. These benefits include development of human capital; roll-out of digital banking solutions to more than 200,000 retail customers; sovereign advisory expertise and support for Ghana’s Eurobond issuances; attracting new investor capital from across Europe, US, Middle East and Asia.

Another benefit is empowering local entrepreneurs by bridging the gap between large multinationals and local suppliers through our successful supply chain financing proposition.

Standard Chartered’s ‘Here for Africa’ campaign encompasses above the-line-visuals, a television campaign as well as tailored sponsorships, client initiatives and focused events which promote the Bank’s regional capabilities.

The extended reach of the campaign means audiences across 38 African and a further 10 international markets will witness the Bank’s focused commitment on the continent.

Currently, Standard Chartered supports over 1 million retail customers in Africa, and over 25,000 commercial, corporate and institutional clients.

In November last year, the Bank committed to $3 billion in strategic investments globally, over the next three years - a commitment which has already seen Africa benefiting with a multi-market upgrade of digital and mobile banking platforms.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Joy Business