SAZIO Launches Financial Proxies DataBank Project to Advance Africa’s Social Value Accounting

SAZIO, in partnership with SAZIO Foundation, proudly announces the launch of the Financial Proxies DataBank Project, a trailblazing initiative designed to enhance Social Return on Investment (SROI) and impact measurement practices across Africa.

The official launch ceremony will take place on Thursday, 05 June 2025, at Starbucks Gateway, Umhlanga Ridge, signalling the beginning of an ambitious, continent-shaping journey. The project is scheduled for completion by 21 May 2026, with annual peer-reviewed updates to follow, ensuring ongoing relevance and credibility.

The Financial Proxies DataBank Project aims to develop Africa’s first comprehensive, standardised repository of validated financial proxies. These proxies will enable practitioners, policymakers, and investors to assign monetary value to social, environmental, and developmental outcomes — from improved mental health and access to education, to environmental restoration and food security.

This dynamic resource will:

• Support SROI calculations, impact assurance, and outcome-based funding models.
• Promote transparency, consistency, and comparability across IMM reports.
• Establish a living knowledge platform that reflects Africa’s realities and innovations.
• Empower social enterprises, public institutions, and development agencies with locally grounded, evidence-based valuation tools.

Methodology and Process

The Financial Proxies DataBank Project aims to develop Africa’s first comprehensive, standardised repository of validated financial proxies. These proxies will enable practitioners, policymakers, and investors to assign monetary value to social, environmental, and developmental outcomes — from improved mental health and access to education, to environmental restoration and food security.

The project will adopt a participatory approach involving researchers, social scientists, economists, evaluators, and field practitioners. Financial proxies will be sourced and refined from real programme data — including SAZIO-aligned initiatives such as Green Roots, Innovating for Impact, and Soleutions.

“This is a landmark moment in Africa’s impact measurement journey. We are not just counting inputs or outputs — we are capturing the real value of human dignity, ecological balance, and community resilience,”

said Vincent Bukelani Zulu, CEO of SAZIO Foundation and Co-Founding Member of SAZIO.

“With this DataBank, we’re building the architecture of trust and transformation. We invite the continent to contribute to this movement,” added Mphumuzi Makanya, Project Lead (CEO of SAZIO) for the Financial Proxies DataBank.

Project Timeline and Key Milestones

The Financial Proxies DataBank Project aims to develop Africa’s first comprehensive, standardised repository of validated financial proxies. These proxies will enable practitioners, policymakers, and investors to assign monetary value to social, environmental, and developmental outcomes — from improved mental health and access to education, to environmental restoration and food security.

Get Involved

SAZIO invites contributions from:

• Impact practitioners and enterprises providing data and insights for proxy development.
• Academics and researchers supporting methodology and validation.
• Training providers incorporate the DataBank into curricula for IMM, ESG, and outcome-based management.
• Donors, development finance institutions, and public agencies embedding proxies into funding frameworks and evaluations.