CABS champions ESG and environmental stewardship in 2025
Staff Writer
CENTRAL Africa Building Society (CABS) has taken bold steps to champion environmental sustainability, showing that financial institutions can lead the way in responsible corporate practices.
In line with its sustainability agenda and national energy objectives, CABS commissioned a solar power plant at its Northridge Park headquarters, providing clean and renewable energy to power day-to-day operations.
The initiative reduces greenhouse gas emissions, supports carbon neutrality, and delivers long-term cost savings on fuel and maintenance.
“Our commitment to environmental stewardship reflects our dedication to sustainable growth and responsible corporate practices,” said CABS Managing Director Mehluli Mpofu in a statement accompanying results for the half year ended June 30 3025.
Mpofu said CABS’ commitment to ESG extended beyond the environment to innovation and operational efficiency.
“We continued to deliver digital innovation through ongoing transformation programmes designed to enhance customer convenience, strengthen system reliability, and drive operational efficiency,” Mpofu said.
In 2025, the bank launched the Corporate Internet Banking platform with digital tokens and bulk payment capabilities, introduced instant digital account opening, expanded mobile banking services such as City Parking, and deployed over 80 deposit-taking and offsite ATMs across Zimbabwe.
The bank also continues to empower the economy and drive financial inclusion. Through its partnership with the African Development Bank under the Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) initiative, CABS has supported women-led small and medium-sized enterprises with tailored financial products and capacity-building programmes.
During the period,productive sector financing was further strengthened through credit and guarantee schemes, including the Targeted Finance Facility (TFF), enabling broader access to loans through the bank’s network.
“On 8 June 2025, we expanded our outward payment capabilities, adding five new currencies… bringing total supported currencies to 11, facilitating smoother international transactions for our customers,” Mpofu said.
He added that the bank’s efforts were recognised nationally, earning awards for Best Financial Institution Supporting SMEs from the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce and Leading Local Financial Institution Brand by Buy Zimbabwe.
At the same time, the bank deepened its corporate social responsibility efforts, supporting cancer treatment, awareness, and care through partnerships with TM Pick n Pay, Kidzcan Zimbabwe, and the Cancer Association of Zimbabwe.
