The Bank of Industry (BoI) has launched its Sustainable Finance Framework, a strategic initiative aimed at promoting responsible, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable economic growth across Nigeria.
The new framework is aligned with the bank’s 2025–2027 corporate strategy, which focuses on long-term development impact, environmental stewardship, social inclusion, and the creation of shared value to address both national and global challenges.
Describing the launch as a major milestone, BoI’s Managing Director and Chief Executive, Dr. Olasupo Olusi, said the initiative reflects the bank’s commitment to becoming a fully sustainable development finance institution.
“It underscores our strategic intent to finance enterprises that deliver both economic value and measurable social and environmental benefits,” Olusi stated.
The bank’s Divisional Head of Public Relations, Theodora Amechi, explained that the blueprint is designed to empower Nigerian businesses and align BoI’s financing activities with international Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards.
She noted that the framework is grounded in global and national sustainability principles, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Agreement, Principles for Responsible Banking, and the Nigerian Sustainable Banking Principles (NSBP).
It also incorporates BoI’s internal ESG systems and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policies, emphasizing a triple-bottom-line approach that balances People, Planet, and Profit to ensure financial returns while generating inclusive and environmental benefits.
The framework is structured to support the bank in raising Green, Social, and Sustainability Bonds and Loans, in line with international guidelines from the International Capital Market Association (ICMA), Loan Market Association (LMA), and Loan Syndications and Trading Association (LSTA).
To enhance its credibility, the framework has been independently assessed by S&P Global Ratings, which issued a Second Party Opinion (SPO) affirming its compliance with global sustainable finance principles.
“This validation strengthens the bank’s position among institutional investors looking for ESG-aligned opportunities in emerging markets,” Amechi added.
According to her, the framework will help BoI support sustainability-driven businesses, access blended and concessional capital, and promote national development priorities such as climate resilience, job creation, gender inclusion, and export diversification.
It also aims to deepen the bank’s impact in renewable energy, clean transportation, agro-processing, healthcare, education, and digital infrastructure—sectors critical to Nigeria’s sustainable growth.
