By MAIMBOLWA MULIKELELA –
BARCLAYS Africa has pledged US$93 million to improve skills development and access to quality education for the youth in Africa.
The Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to economic and socio-economic growth on the continent through its Shared Growth Strategy pledging US$93 million to improve skills development and access to quality education.
In a statement issued in Lusaka yesterday, the bank says it plans to raise US$89 million to help small and medium sized African businesses succeed and grow and to ensure that more people have access to digital and non-digital financial services across the continent.
Barclays Africa group chief executive Maria Ramos said enterprise development would enable access to affordable finance for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by raising $89 million through corporate supply and distribution chains using innovative technology.
She said Shared Growth for the bank meant having a positive impact on society and delivering shareholder value, the two are not mutually exclusive.
“We are applying our substantial resources to provide innovative commercial products, services and partnerships to build a more equitable and prosperous Africa for the next generation.
“Customers and clients do well, so do we? When the communities where we live and work thrive, we do too. And when society prospers, we all do. But only if we work together, private public partnerships are the key to tackling some of society’s biggest challenges,” Ms Ramos said.