Coris Holding, a banking group, is transforming its business model to integrate green and climate finance fully. The company's sustainability manager, Isham Boris Sonny, presented this shift at the 4th African ESG Summit in Tunis on October 8, 2026. The group's strategy includes developing a climate strategy, applying for Green Climate Fund accreditation, and creating financial products focused on sustainability. This change was initially driven by a financial partner's requirements but has become a core part of Coris Holding's transformation.
The journey towards sustainability began with Coris Holding's Burkina Faso subsidiary. When securing financing from an international partner, the subsidiary was asked about its environmental and social policy. This question led to the creation of such a policy, which was not initially prioritized. After the financing was closed, an evaluation revealed that the policy had not been implemented, prompting a reevaluation of the group's commitment. The policy was revisited, adapted to the local context, and made applicable.
Coris Holding now assesses financing requests against an exclusion list and categorizes them based on environmental and social risks. Projects classified as high or medium risk undergo environmental diligence, determining the support provided to clients to mitigate risks. The group has also developed a corporate social responsibility policy with five focus areas: ethics, clients, environment and climate, employees, and communities. This policy was developed at the holding level to ensure consistency across all subsidiaries.
Coris Holding's transformation includes creating a dedicated sustainability function, strategically positioned within the organization. This role is part of the group's 2025-2027 strategic plan, which emphasizes sustainability as a key axis. The group is addressing climate change by evaluating its portfolio's exposure to climate risks and developing a climate strategy focused on three areas: energy transition, sustainable agriculture, and sustainable cities, mobility, and infrastructure.
Coris Holding has submitted its application for accreditation to the Green Climate Fund, the largest international climate fund. The group hopes to receive accreditation in 2027 to support the economies of the countries where it operates. It plans to launch a green finance product in 2027 and is exploring green bonds. The group is also working on quantifying its greenhouse gas emissions, aiming to comply with international standards.
Despite its efforts, Coris Holding faces two significant challenges. The first is the lack of a regulatory banking framework for sustainability and climate issues in its market. The second challenge is related to data availability and quality, both internally and externally. The group's sustainability manager acknowledges these difficulties but emphasizes the importance of sustainability in the group's transformation.
Coris Holding's efforts reflect a broader trend in the financial sector towards integrating sustainability and climate considerations. The group's approach aims to balance risk management with opportunities arising from climate change. By pursuing Green Climate Fund accreditation and developing green finance products, Coris Holding seeks to play a significant role in supporting sustainable development in Africa.
Key points
- Coris Holding seeks accreditation from the Green Climate Fund.
- The group faces challenges due to the lack of regulatory framework and data quality issues.
- Coris Holding aims to launch green finance products and explore green bonds.
