Cooperative Bank of Oromia took center stage at this week’s United Nations Global Compact conference in Kampala, representing the country at the 11th Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development. The bank participated in high-level discussions on accelerating progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the continent.  

During the SDG Activation Day sessions, Coopbank executives detailed the institution’s pioneering work in sustainable finance before an audience of policymakers, development experts and business leaders from across Africa. The bank highlighted its innovative approaches to financial inclusion, digital transformation and climate-smart banking that are delivering measurable impacts in Ethiopian communities.  

The forum provided a platform for Coopbank to demonstrate how commercial banks can drive progress on critical development priorities while maintaining financial viability. The bank shared case studies of its gender-focused lending programs, digital financial services expansion into rural areas, and green financing initiatives supporting climate adaptation.  

The bank’s ability to align its core operations with SDG targets has emerged as a potential model for other African financial institutions seeking to balance profit and purpose.  

The strong reception to Coopbank’s participation signals growing recognition of Ethiopia’s leadership in developing homegrown solutions to Africa’s sustainable development challenges. The bank’s presentation particularly resonated with delegates from countries facing similar financial inclusion and climate resilience hurdles.  The bank’s appearance at this high-profile continental event marks an important milestone in Ethiopia’s financial sector gaining influence in pan-African policy discussions.  

The forum outcomes are expected to shape regional cooperation on sustainable finance initiatives in the coming year, with Ethiopian institutions like Coopbank positioned to play an increasingly prominent role.