Sanlam Investments partners with Robeco to drive sustainable investing

Sanlam Investments has recently announced a strategic partnership with Robeco, an international asset manager renowned for its expertise in sustainable investing. The move comes as economies worldwide are prioritizing sustainable finance and aiming to build back better post the COVID-19 pandemic. Nersan Naidoo, the CEO of Sanlam Investments, discussed the rationale behind the collaboration in a recent interview with CNBC Africa. He emphasized the urgent need for asset managers to contribute meaningfully to addressing sustainability challenges, such as climate change, loss of biodiversity, poverty, and access to quality education. Naidoo acknowledged the growing pressure from clients to focus on sustainable investing and make a tangible impact. Recognizing the scale of the challenges at hand, Sanlam Investments turned to Robeco as a strategic partner due to its global leadership in sustainable investing. Through this partnership, Sanlam aims to leverage Robeco's expertise and resources to accelerate its impact investing initiatives. One of the key objectives of the collaboration is to dispel the myth that sustainable investing requires sacrificing financial returns. By accessing Robeco's educational platforms and insights, Sanlam plans to enhance awareness and understanding of sustainable investing among its clients and staff. The partnership also underscores the importance of engaging with companies to drive sustainable practices and ensuring measurable impact through robust reporting mechanisms. Naidoo highlighted some of Sanlam's ongoing impact initiatives, including climate finance projects and funds dedicated to supporting job creation in South Africa. The collaboration with Robeco is expected to further strengthen Sanlam's commitment to sustainable investing and drive positive change in the financial industry. The partnership reflects a growing trend towards ESG integration and impact measurement in the investment landscape, positioning Sanlam Investments as a leader in sustainable finance in South Africa and beyond.