DFIs win 5 awards, together with a few of the most coveted awards Uganda’s Patricia Ojangole, the second girl banker from East Africa to win African Banker of the Yr Nigeria’s reforms recognised by means of award to Central Financial institution Governor Yemi Cardoso Nadia Fettah, Economic system and Finance Minister of the Kingdom of Morocco, wins Finance Minister of the Yr
ABIDJAN, Côte d’ivoire 2nd June , 2025 -/African Media Company(AMA)/- Growth Finance Establishments (DFIs) emerged as the large winners at Africa’s most prestigious annual banking occasion. 5 DFIs took dwelling plaques on the African Banker Awards Gala Ceremony 2025, held final night time on the Sofitel Resort in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, on the sidelines of the African Growth Financial institution Annual Conferences. The ceremony was attended by 500 of the continent’s main lights in banking and finance.
The African Banker Awards 2025, now in its nineteenth yr, celebrates the achievements of people and establishments that contributed considerably to the expansion and growth of Africa’s banking sector within the previous yr. This yr’s awards ceremony, particularly, noticed DFIs dominate, underlining their rising recognition, significance and impression within the African monetary and banking ecosystem as they crank up the levers of growth and progress.
Olayemi Cardoso from Nigeria was named Central Financial institution Governor of the Yr. The Central Financial institution has needed to make robust choices, however these, the organisers famous, have assuaged markets, renewing investor confidence.
Morocco has been a standout performer in Africa, particularly in terms of financial diversification. Nadia Fettah was recognised as Finance Minister of the Yr for her sound macroeconomic administration.
Prof. Vincent Nmehielle, Secretary Basic of the African Growth Financial institution, paid tribute to IC Publications and New African journal particularly for representing the voice of Africa internationally, when again in 2007 it was the one journal presenting an African perspective on worldwide affairs.
Talking on the ceremony, Omar Ben Yedder, Chair of the Awards Committee, recognized the non-public sector and banks as crucial to reworking the continent. “Thomas Sankara stated those that feed you, rule you. To paraphrase him, we may simply say those that finance you, rule you. We’d like sturdy African-owned banks. The non-public sector is the important thing to unlocking scale, and banks are the gas for driving Africa ahead. African DFIs have received huge due to the catalytic function they’re taking part in in remodeling the funding panorama, in addition to working extra intently with the African non-public sector to assist SMEs and different asset lessons which can be underfunded.”
This yr’s awards had a particular visitor, Ivorian sprinter and silver medallist Murielle Ahouré-Demps, a a number of medal winner at world occasions. Presenting the African Banker of the Yr award, she shared how she “discovered that champions are usually not made on the rostrum. They’re cast within the quiet, unseen moments within the self-discipline it takes when nobody is watching. And as African girls, we feature inside us a strong legacy: considered one of energy, of knowledge, and of imaginative and prescient. I’m deeply happy with that.” The award was received by Patricia Ojangole, Managing Director of Ugandan Growth Financial institution – the second time in three years {that a} girl banker from East Africa has received the coveted award.
Ecobank received this yr’s AFAWA Award, which recognises gender lens lending and banks supporting women-led companies. Dr Beth Dunford of the African Growth Financial institution leads the initiative.
The Awards are supported by the African Growth Financial institution, and numerous high-level sponsors such because the African Assure Fund. A cocktail reception came about earlier than the Gala, sponsored by African Commerce and Funding Growth Insurance coverage (ATIDI). Afreximbank, the ECOWAS Financial institution for Funding and Growth (EBID), Atlantic Finance Group, Nigeria’s Financial institution of Business, the African Assure and Financial Cooperation Fund (FAGACE), 4G Capital, IFG Government Training and African Hidden Champions had been additionally sponsors and supporters of the Awards.
Highlights from the Ceremony
DFIs dominate
The dominance of DFIs like Ugandan Growth Financial institution, TDB, ATIDI, Afreximbank, AFC and BOI on this yr’s winners’ listing reveals the more and more vital function these banks are taking part in in catalysing investments and offers on the continent.
Banker of the Yr goes to a feminine CEO
Mrs Patricia Ojangole, MD of Uganda Growth Financial institution, emerged the Banker of the Yr in recognition of the transformative change she has delivered to the financial institution, seen in progress in its capital base, important discount in its non-performing mortgage portfolio and enhancement of different fundamentals.
Reforms propel Cardoso to the highest
Two years into his tenure, Olayemi Cardoso has emerged as Central Financial institution Governor of the Yr in a keenly contested class. He received for his complete reform of Nigeria’s banking system – evident in international trade administration, ongoing banking recapitalisation and the entrenchment of a regime of transparency – which have had a salutary impact on macroeconomic stability and helped restore investor confidence within the nation.
A Banking Titan receives the Lifetime Achievement Award
Idrissa Nassa, the Burkinabe serial entrepreneur and Group CEO of Coris Financial institution, acquired the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his contribution to the African banking panorama, the place the Coris Financial institution Worldwide (CBI) group has emerged as a continental monetary powerhouse. With operations in 11 nations and management of 10% market share within the West African Financial and Financial Union (UEMOA), Coris Financial institution, beneath Nassa’s management, has turn into a strong African success story.
Mrs Patricia Ojangole, Managing Director at Uganda Growth Financial institution
Commerce and Growth Financial institution Group (TDB Group)
Sustainable Financial institution of the Yr
Nedbank
4G Capital
African Commerce & Funding Growth Insurance coverage
Crdb financial institution
Deal of the Yr – Infrastructure
The Suez 1.1 GW Wind Energy Undertaking in Egypt – African Growth Financial institution
Deal of the Yr – Debt
The Financial institution of Business €1.87bn syndicated debt issuance facility – Africa Finance Company and Afreximbank
Deal of the Yr – Fairness
Undertaking Arden – Renaissance Power $2.4bn acquisition of Shell Petroleum
Growth Firm – PwC Nigeria
Idrissa Nassa, Group CEO, Coris Financial institution
Central Financial institution Governor of the Yr
Oluyemi Cardoso, Governor, Central Financial institution of Nigeria
Minister of Finance of the Yr
H.E. Mrs Nadia Fettah, Finance Minister of the Kingdom of Morocco
AFAWA Financial institution of the Yr Award
Ecobank
Distributed byAfrican Media Company. on behalf of IC Publications
In regards to the African Banker Awards
The African Banker Awards – a prestigious accolade that celebrates excellence and finest practices in African banking and finance – recognise the excellent achievements of people and monetary establishments which can be remodeling the continent’s monetary sector and contributing to financial growth and monetary inclusion in Africa.
Organised by African Banker journal in partnership with IC Occasions, the awards carry collectively trade leaders from throughout the continent to honour innovation, resilience, and the spirit of competitors in African banking.
For extra details about the African Banker Awards, please go to ourwebsite at
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As a trusted supply of data, African Banker provides a singular perspective on the challenges and alternatives inside Africa’s banking sector.
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