Standard Bank

In December 2008, Standard Bank, Africa’s largest banking group in terms of assets, geographic spread and market capitalization, and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria entered into a pro bono partnership through which Standard Bank offers financial and management expertise to Global Fund grant recipients in selected countries in Africa.

Through this partnership, Standard Bank is helping to ensure that Global Fund resources are distributed inside the country in a timely manner and is also assisting with reporting requirements. Standard Bank provides a range of financial advisory services to Principal Recipients (PRs), Sub-Recipients (SRs) and Country Coordinating Mechanisms (CCMs) on a pro bono basis.

Standard Bank’s support is currently available in selected African countries for grant recipients who request it and is tailored to fit their needs and requirements. It is entirely demand-driven and free of any conditionality. The partnership is currently active in Uganda, Nigeria, Swaziland, Lesotho, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

In Swaziland, Lesotho and Nigeria, Standard Bank has already organized financial and management training workshops for PRs and SRs of Global Fund grants. In addition, Standard Bank has installed financial management software for 5 sub-recipients in Swaziland.

“Through our partnership with the Global Fund and engaging with its program implementers in these countries in Africa, we are helping to make sure that grant efficiency and effectiveness is improving which ultimately has a positive impact on the fight against the three diseases. By engaging our employees directly in this work, Standard Bank is building a strong connection to communities where it works as well as to one of the world’s most essential development organizations.”
Clive Tasker,
CEO, Standard Bank Africa