Orabank Archives - SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine Insights on how you can protect the environment, maintain and increase the value of your company, through a structured CSR/Sustainability process with the use of the GRI Standards. Learn how Today's Best-Run Companies are achieving Economic, Social, and Environmental Success - and How You Can Too... Tue, 09 Dec 2025 06:50:43 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1 Case study: How Orabank identifies and works on strategic business opportunities to increase positive and reduce negative impacts https://sustaincase.com/case-study-how-orabank-identifies-and-works-on-strategic-business-opportunities/ Tue, 09 Dec 2025 06:49:53 +0000 https://sustaincase.com/?p=21470 Oragroup is a Pan-African banking group with a presence through 12 subsidiaries in the WAEMU and CEMAC currency zones, as well as in Guinea and Mauritania. Its extensive network of 172 branches serves 831,971 clients, manages 1,034,174 accounts, and operates 3,008 electronic payment terminals (EPTs). As of December 31, 2023, Oragroup’s total assets reached XOF 4,236 billion, comprising XOF 2,038 billion in loans and advances to customers and XOF 3,089 billion in collected deposits. This case study is based on the 2024 PRB Reporting and Self-Assessment Template by Orabank prepared in relation to its implementation of the PRB, that can be […]

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]]> Oragroup is a Pan-African banking group with a presence through 12 subsidiaries in the WAEMU and CEMAC currency zones, as well as in Guinea and Mauritania. Its extensive network of 172 branches serves 831,971 clients, manages 1,034,174 accounts, and operates 3,008 electronic payment terminals (EPTs). As of December 31, 2023, Oragroup’s total assets reached XOF 4,236 billion, comprising XOF 2,038 billion in loans and advances to customers and XOF 3,089 billion in collected deposits. Orabank is a signatory of the Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) and is, accordingly, identifying and working on strategic business opportunities to increase positive and reduce negative impacts.  Tweet This!

This case study is based on the 2024 PRB Reporting and Self-Assessment Template by Orabank prepared in relation to its implementation of the PRB, that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important

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Which Principles for Responsible Banking have been addressed?

The Principles for Responsible Banking addressed in this case are:

Stakeholder identification and consultation

Please describe which stakeholders (or groups/ types of stakeholders) you have identified, consulted, engaged, collaborated or partnered with for the purpose of implementing the Principles and improving your bank’s impacts. This should include a high-level overview of how your bank has identified relevant stakeholders, what issues were addressed/results achieved and how they fed into the action planning process.

As part of its dedication to corporate social responsibility, Orabank has conducted comprehensive work to identify and map its stakeholders in accordance with Principle #1 of the ISO 26000 standard. Orabank’s approach is grounded in GRI standards, ensuring a thorough and standardized methodology. The process began with a document review and benchmarking at both the international and sectoral levels, followed by an assessment of how Orabank engages with its stakeholders. This enabled Orabank to segment its stakeholders into homogeneous groups and sub-groups, facilitating a deeper understanding of their expectations and priorities.

After completing the stakeholder mapping, the results were presented to the Steering Committee, composed of the Communications Departments from the countries where Oragroup operates. A collaborative exercise was then undertaken to evaluate the importance of each stakeholder group and validate the prioritization. This process allowed Orabank to concentrate its efforts on the most influential and relevant stakeholders for its sustainability initiatives.

Recognizing its role as a significant economic actor, Orabank is committed to a proactive corporate social responsibility approach. This strategy not only helps Orabank contribute to the sustainable economic development of the countries in which it operates but also supports the overall performance of the Orabank Group. Orabank incorporates the key interests of its stakeholders while adopting a pragmatic and realistic perspective on the specific challenges faced within each region and business sector.

Ultimately, the quality of service provided by Oragroup depends on several factors: the dedication of its employees, collaboration with its suppliers and partners, and the trust built with customers, investors, and other stakeholders. Orabank’s business model is rooted in these strong relationships, which guarantee the sustainability of its activities and the satisfaction of its stakeholders.

How did Orabank identify and work on strategic business opportunities to increase positive and reduce negative impacts?

In its 2024 PRB Reporting and Self-Assessment Template Orabank reports that it identified and worked on strategic business opportunities to increase positive and reduce negative impacts as follows:

Orabank Group is deeply committed to promoting responsible and sustainable finance across West Africa. In 2022, Orabank signed the Principles for Responsible Banking and plans to join the Green Fund initiative in Central Africa, opening new opportunities to finance environmental and social projects. As a responsible organization, Orabank recognizes significant development potential in energy transition, particularly through supporting renewable energy generation and minimizing environmental impacts in vital sectors such as mobility and firewood consumption. To this end, Orabank has introduced financial products like Cap Energie and Cap Bleu to assist businesses in managing energy and water sustainably, and is actively working to expand its financing solutions to include projects aimed at reducing local emissions and improving air quality. However, these opportunities also present notable challenges, including the need to develop effective monitoring, measurement, and control systems, as well as to enhance employee training to ensure proper ESG impact management. In the short term, Orabank aims to strengthen its strategy and equip itself with the tools necessary to track and evaluate the performance of its initiatives. Looking ahead, Orabank aspires to become a leading player in sustainable finance in Africa, actively supporting energy transition and social inclusion through tangible, measurable projects. Orabank’s employees, the Orabankers, are central to this vision, and it is vital to fully involve them in Orabank’s CSR efforts to ensure that its commitment to sustainable development is integrated at every level of the organization.

 

UN Principles for Responsible Banking: Accelerating a positive global transition for people and the planet

With over 300 signatory banks representing almost half of the global banking industry, the Principles for Responsible Banking are the world’s foremost sustainable banking framework. Through these Principles, the banking community takes action to align core strategies, decision-making, lending and investment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and international agreements such as the Paris Climate Agreement.

FBRH Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) Assurance:

First class PRB assurance services: The result of solid, hands-on ESG/ Sustainability experience

      • FBRH is a GRI Certified Training Partner (Global), ISEP Training Centre and a member of CPD.
      • FBRH builds trust. Over 200 reviews from top professionals from around the world demonstrate our ability to build strong, trusting business relationships.
      • FBRH possesses a unique skill set that combines ESG/sustainability certified training, experience in advisory services and report preparation, and ESG/sustainability report assurance.

The combination of all the above empowers FBRH to provide first class Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) assurance services.

 

References:

This case study is based on published information by Orabank, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original please revert to the following link:

https://www.orabank-reporting.fr/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/PRB-Reporting-and-Self-Assessment-ORAGROUP-ENG.pdf

Note to Orabank: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

The post Case study: How Orabank identifies and works on strategic business opportunities to increase positive and reduce negative impacts appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> Case study: How Orabank works with its clients and customers to encourage sustainable practices https://sustaincase.com/case-study-how-orabank-works-with-clients-and-customers-to-encourage-sustainable-practices/ Wed, 17 Apr 2024 06:16:42 +0000 https://sustaincase.com/?p=18854 Orabank is a banking group managed by Oragroup, a holding company based in Lomé, Togo, and operates in twelve West and Central African countries, serving more than 717,000 active clients. This case study is based on the 2022 Principles for Responsible Banking Self-assessment by Orabank, prepared in relation to its implementation of the PRB, that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy and society, and b) measuring, managing and changing. Which Principles for […]

The post Case study: How Orabank works with its clients and customers to encourage sustainable practices appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> Orabank is a banking group managed by Oragroup, a holding company based in Lomé, Togo, and operates in twelve West and Central African countries, serving more than 717,000 active clients. Orabank is a signatory of the Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) and is, accordingly, working with its clients and customers to encourage sustainable practices and enable sustainable economic activities.  Tweet This!

This case study is based on the 2022 Principles for Responsible Banking Self-assessment by Orabank, prepared in relation to its implementation of the PRB, that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy and society, and b) measuring, managing and changing.

Layout 1

Which Principles for Responsible Banking have been addressed?

The Principles for Responsible Banking addressed in this case are:

Stakeholder identification and consultation

Please describe which stakeholders (or groups/ types of stakeholders) you have identified, consulted, engaged, collaborated or partnered with for the purpose of implementing the Principles and improving your bank’s impacts. This should include a high-level overview of how your bank has identified relevant stakeholders, what issues were addressed/results achieved and how they fed into the action planning process.

Since 2017, when Oragroup initiated an extensive online consultation involving 2,300 stakeholders, both internal and external, for a materiality assessment, it hasn’t formally reengaged with all stakeholders.

Between 2017 and 2023, the group experienced significant growth in both size and regional importance, culminating in its listing on the regional stock exchange. As a result, the group is currently focusing on two key initiatives: a) conducting a new materiality/impact assessment involving external stakeholders, and b) determining the most efficient method for regular stakeholder engagement. The proposal for this fresh impact assessment is scheduled for discussion during the 2024 budgetary session. Subject to approval by the board of directors, it will be conducted in 2024, with the aim of presenting its outcomes in Oragroup’s 2024 Principles of Responsible Banking report. In addition to sharing the results of the stakeholder impact assessment, Oragroup will also present the frequency and method of stakeholder engagement selected.

How did Orabank work with its clients and customers to encourage sustainable practices and enable sustainable economic activities?

In its 2022 Principles for Responsible Banking Self-assessment Orabank reports that it works with its clients and customers to encourage sustainable practices and enable sustainable economic activities as follows:

      • Retail Customers: Oragroup addresses transportation-related pollution by exclusively financing next-generation vehicles that consume less fuel and emit lower carbon emissions. Additionally, the group offers an extensive range of products accessible via smartphones or internet-connected laptops, reducing the need for customers to visit bank branches.
      • Business & Institutional Banking: Oragroup has developed an Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) to identify environmental and social risks associated with each financing opportunity. This system includes an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) policy and detailed procedures ensuring consistency in ESG risk management practices across all Oragroup subsidiaries. The ESMS also integrates the IFC exclusion list.

The group’s next objective is to identify the clients with the most significant impacts, both positive and negative, and encourage sustainable practices through commercial incentives and awareness campaigns.

 

UN Principles for Responsible Banking: Accelerating a positive global transition for people and the planet

With over 300 signatory banks representing almost half of the global banking industry, the Principles for Responsible Banking are the world’s foremost sustainable banking framework. Through these Principles, the banking community takes action to align core strategies, decision-making, lending and investment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and international agreements such as the Paris Climate Agreement.

FBRH Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) Assurance:

First class PRB assurance services: The result of solid, hands-on ESG/ Sustainability experience

      • FBRH is a GRI Certified Training Partner (Global), ISEP Training Centre and a member of CPD.
      • FBRH builds trust. Over 200 reviews from top professionals from around the world demonstrate our ability to build strong, trusting business relationships.
      • FBRH possesses a unique skill set that combines ESG/sustainability certified training, experience in advisory services and report preparation, and ESG/sustainability report assurance.

The combination of all the above empowers FBRH to provide first class Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) assurance services.

 

References:

This case study is based on published information by Orabank, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original please revert to the following link:

https://www.orabank.net/sites/default/files/PRB_Orabank_2022_Sept 19.pdf

Note to Orabank: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

The post Case study: How Orabank works with its clients and customers to encourage sustainable practices appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

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