The National Development Bank (NDB) has formally commenced its Sustainability Certification journey under the Sustainability Standards and Certification Initiative (SSCI). The initiative, facilitated by the European Organisation for Sustainable Development (EOSD, marks an important milestone in the Bank’s ongoing transformation into a modern and more impactful development finance institution.
NDB received its Certificate of Acceptance into the SSCI Sustainability Certification programme on 27 August 2026 in Karlsruhe, Germany. The certification journey will support the Bank in embedding sustainability more deeply into its governance, business development, financing decisions and capital allocation.
The initiative is closely aligned with NDB’s 2025–2030 strategy, Motlhala wa Pula, Modi wa Isago, which is focused on transforming the Bank to better respond to Botswana’s evolving economic needs and support sustainable economic growth.
For NDB, sustainability extends beyond environmental considerations. It is about ensuring that the Bank’s financing contributes to economic diversification, stronger businesses and value chains, increased value addition, job creation and new sources of long-term economic growth.
Receiving the Certificate of Acceptance on behalf of the Bank, NDB Head of Future Growth and Innovation, Amutjilani Makone, said: “Our transformation focused on positioning NDB to finance the opportunities that will shape Botswana’s future. Embedding sustainability into how we operate, make decisions and deploy capital is central to that ambition. The SSCI process provides a structured framework to strengthen this approach and look beyond the immediate transaction to the longer-term economic, social and environmental value that NDB creates”.
Arshad Rab, Chairman of the International Council of Sustainability Standards for Value-Driven Financial Institutions and CEO of the European Organisation for Sustainable Development (EOSD), congratulated NDB on its commitment to the process.
“For a development bank, sustainability cannot be separated from its fundamental purpose. NDB’s decision to embark upon Sustainability Certification represents a commitment to strengthen how the Bank uses its mandate, financing, and institutional capabilities to contribute to Botswana’s economic transformation.”
He further noted that the significance of the certification journey would ultimately be measured not by the certificate itself, but by the institution NDB becomes and the value its financing enables across Botswana’s economy.
The Bank’s acceptance into the certification process therefore represents a commitment to institutional transformation, with the ultimate measure of success being the development impact NDB delivers through its financing.
As Botswana pursues greater economic diversification and value creation, NDB remains committed to evolve towards its hybrid banking model, expanding its ability to support the businesses, sectors, and opportunities that will contribute to a more competitive, diversified and sustainable Botswana.