Engaging our communities

Engaging our communities

The operating subsidiaries, through their branch networks, play an active role as members of the communities they serve and regularly undertake social impact initiatives as part of their commitment to social welfare. These initiatives are largely driven at the branch level, where field staff maintain close, ongoing relationships with clients and community members and are therefore well placed to identify local needs. To support these efforts, the Company’s subsidiaries allocate between 0.5% and 2% of their net profits to corporate social responsibility (‘CSR’) activities, in line with local regulatory requirements. To ensure that resources are directed where they create the greatest impact,the Group conducted a study to better understand the priorities of clients and communities. Based on the feedback received, programmes were designed and implemented, focusing on key areas such as health, education, environmental, and disaster relief. These initiatives are widely valued by employees, clients, and the broader community and reinforce the Group’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable development.

Our impact in numbers (2025)

The programme examples and KPIs below highlight just some of the ways we supported communities in the past year.

Health

Improving access to essential healthcare and promoting preventive care is central to strengthening community well-being. Across multiple regions, subsidiaries delivered a range of programmes to raise awareness, expand access to services, and reduce health risks, including free medical screenings, health camps, blood donation drives, and the distribution of medicines and safety materials.

Support was also provided to hospitals and health centres through donations of equipment, consumables, and targeted infrastructure improvements. Community initiatives addressed water, sanitation, and hygiene through combined clean-up and health outreach campaigns, while targeted programmes offered health kits, nutrition support, and hygiene products to vulnerable groups. Collectively, these efforts enhanced health awareness, early detection, and community resilience.

Promoting early detection

A dedicated breast cancer awareness and screening campaign promoted early detection and preventive care, reaching nearly 2,000 participants and addressing key knowledge gaps around self-examinations and routine screening.

Dozens of participants were referred for further evaluation, underscoring the need for continued awareness and accessible follow-up care. Strong engagement reflected growing recognition of early detection as essential to improving health outcomes.

Education

Receiving quality education is fundamental to advancing socioeconomic progress and reducing poverty, as higher levels of education are linked to greater financial independence and economic participation. Across its operating regions, the Group supported access to learning and skills development through initiatives such as bursaries and scholarships, the distribution of educational materials to schools and vulnerable students, and training programmes focused on financial, digital, and organisational literacy.

Additional efforts included support for students with disabilities, the provision of reusable sanitary pads to help girls remain in school, and improvements to school facilities. Together, these initiatives strengthened educational access, encouraged academic achievement, and supported inclusive human capital development.

Supporting learning through educational materials in Myanmar

An educational materials programme in Myanmar improved access to learning by distributing essential study supplies to vulnerable students across operating areas. Through branch-led activities carried out in partnership with local schools and community stakeholders, approximately 11,000 students were reached. The initiative helped students remain engaged in their studies while easing education-related costs for families.

Environment

The Company is committed to fostering resilient communities and promoting environmental stewardship for present and future generations. Subsidiaries promoted environmental sustainability through tree planting, climate awareness, and waste management initiatives.

In collaboration with public institutions and community partners, tree seedlings were planted in schools and public spaces. Awareness sessions on climate change and waste management were delivered to clients and community members, alongside clean-up drives improving local environments. Together, these efforts strengthened environmental resilience and encouraged sustainable practices.

Improving market hygiene in Nigeria

A Clean-A-Market campaign at a major market in Lagos engaged more than 800 participants in a coordinated clean-up to improve hygiene. Traders received protective materials to support ongoing cleanliness, and over 100 individuals benefited from free health screenings. The initiative strengthened environmental awareness and promoted healthier, more sustainable market spaces.

Disaster relief

The Group responds promptly to emergencies affecting clients and communities, providing relief following fires, floods, earthquakes, storms, and other natural disasters. Support includes the distribution of food, water, medicines, and essential household items, as well as direct financial assistance to affected families.

Beyond immediate relief, the Group contributes to recovery and resilience efforts, including rehabilitation support and targeted investments in flood-prevention and adaptation infrastructure. These interventions aim to ease hardship and support communities in rebuilding their livelihoods.

Supporting communities during the Ditwah Cyclone in Sri Lanka

Following severe flooding and landslides caused by the Ditwah Cyclone in November 2025, relief efforts were mobilised across affected areas. Teams distributed cooked meals, dry food parcels, and drinking water to 743 people. Colleagues also assisted with cleaning flood-affected homes, supporting community recovery.