Africa’s top bankers, finance ministers, governors of central banks and industry leaders gathered at the Grand Hyatt in Washington DC to honour the continent’s best bankers during the first ever awards presented by the London based African Banker, part of the IC Publications stable.
A total of 15 awards were presented at the glittering ceremony, which was co-hosted by Business in Africa Events.
“We are thrilled to honour these exemplary individuals and businesses who truly embody African excellence in the global marketplace,” said Christian Udechukwu. “The honorees and winners of the African Banker Awards are a shining example to their peers and the global finance community.”
A distinguished panel of judges selected winners from 11 categories, including the Best Bank of the Year, the Banker of the Year, Best Micro Bank, Best Gender Sensitive Bank and others.
The winners came from north, south, west and central Africa even if Nigerian banks were the big winners on the night.
Afif Ben Yedder, publisher of African Banker added: “I am delighted to join tonight with such an esteemed group of business leaders as we celebrate each other’s success and honour the contributions of the nominees and winners to the financial sector. I’m also delighted to have had three women honoured at this event: Linah Mohohlo, Central Bank Governor of Botswana, Cecilia Ibru, Oceanic Bank, Nigeria, and Evelyn Oputu, CEO of Bank of Industry. Tonight, with the support of our sponsors, we recognised world class leaders and business people working in all parts of Africa: Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Mauritius, Botswana, Swaziland, Nigeria, Togo and South Africa.”
As widely expected, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, Nigeria’s Central Bank governor who has overseen the most thoroughgoing reforms in the country’s banking sector, won the Best Central Banker award.
