As we expand our footprint and deepen our impact across markets, one priority remains the same: building and sustaining a strong internal culture. Growth without alignment can weaken performance; however, growth with clarity and trust strengthens it.
Our latest employee engagement survey, conducted in partnership with WTW, confirms that our foundation is strong. With more than 3,500 respondents across the Group, we recorded an overall engagement score of 89%. This level of participation and the strength of the results reflect a workforce that is invested, informed and committed to our shared direction.
The most significant highlight is the clarity of our strategy. A remarkable 99% of our employees indicated a clear understanding of our strategy and direction. In a dynamic financial services environment, alignment at this level gives us a competitive advantage. It means our teams understand not only what we do, but why we do it and how their individual roles contribute to a broader impact.
Inspiration from leadership and purpose also emerged as a key strength, with 94% respondents affirming it. This points to the importance of disciplined leadership, consistent communication and a clear articulation of our business’s purpose. When people believe in the mission and trust the leadership, performance becomes sustainable rather than just transactional.
Trust and integrity received a strong 90% favorable score. In financial services, trust is essential; it is the foundation. Internally, this means confidence in leadership decisions, clear communication and fairness in operations. Externally, it reinforces our credibility with customers, partners and regulators. Culture and reputation are closely linked.
Sustainable engagement also stood at 90%, indicating resilience and long-term commitment from our teams. Engagement at this level means that employees are not only motivated in the short term but see long-term value in being part of the organisation’s journey.
Beyond these headline results, we scored well across Inclusion, Collaboration, Voice and Manager Support. These dimensions are critical to maintaining accountability alongside support. A high-performance culture is not built on pressure alone; it is built on clear expectations, open communication and leaders who help their teams to succeed.
Importantly, our results benchmark positively against Africa’s overall norms and the financial services sector globally. This external comparison provides context and reinforces that our internal culture stands strong relative to peers. Disciplined execution, structured governance and clarity of strategy continue to translate into employee confidence.
That said, engagement surveys are not an endpoint; they are a diagnostic tool. The true value lies in how we respond. We will continue to strengthen leadership capability, refine recognition frameworks and ensure that well-being remains integrated into how we operate at scale.
As we grow, culture must grow with us. The feedback from our people affirms that we are building a resilient, high-performance organisation grounded in purpose, trust and accountability.
To every employee who participated and shared honest feedback, thank you. Your voice shapes our future.