The

African Banker

African

Banker

Awards

Compete. Celebrate. Connect.

Attend the ceremony

Celebrating excellence and best practices in African banking.

A landmark annual banking event

The African Banker Awards recognise the reforms, rapid modernisation, consolidation, integration and expansion shaping Africa’s banking and financial system.

The 2026 Awards Ceremony will take place in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, on Wednesday 27 May 2026, during the African Development Bank Annual Meetings (25–29 May 2026).

For further information, please contact us at [email protected].

2026 Nominees

Banker of the Year

Jeremy Awori – Ecobank
Mukwandi Chibesakunda – Zanaco, Zambia
Serge Ekué – West African Development Bank (BOAD)
Dr. James Mwangi - Equity Group, Kenya
Dr. Abdulmajid Mussa Nsekela – CRDB Bank, Kenya
Miriam Chidiebele Olusanya - Guarantee Trust Bank, Nigeria
Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, OON - Fidelity Bank, Nigeria

Bank of the Year

Arab African International Bank
Bank of Africa
Co-Operative Bank of Kenya
Ecobank
Equity Bank, Kenya
Guaranty Trust Bank, Nigeria

Sustainable Bank of the Year

Access Holdings, Nigeria
Bank of Industry, Nigeria
Commercial International Bank Egypt (CIB)
Co-operative Bank of Kenya
Nedbank, South Africa
Rawbank, DRC

DFI of the Year

Africa Finance Corporation (AFC)
African Guarantee Fund (AGF)
Afreximbank
Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA)
Bank of Industry (BOI)
Credit Corp Nigeria
West African Development Bank (BOAD)

Fintech of the Year

Inclusivity Solutions
Nala
Thoburns Communications
Valu
Ziidi Trader

SME Bank of the Year

Co-operative Bank of Kenya
Equity Group, Kenya
GCB Bank, Ghana
Trust Merchant Bank, DRC
Uganda Development Bank

Deal of the Year - Debt

Project Nexxus - Afreximbank and African Finance Corporation (AFC)
Al Barakah Sukuk Islamic Finance Transaction - CRDB
NBET Transaction - Cardinal Stone Partners
Côte d’Ivoire JPY50bn ESG Samurai Bond – SMBC
CrossBoundary Energy Project Wallet IV financing – Standard Bank
Drive Finance long term syndicated facility – National Bank of Egypt
Project Oak: Kenya Roads Board – Absa

Deal of the Year - Equity

Africa Capital Alliance Divestment of 16% Stake in Aradel Holdings - CardinalStone Partners
Arise IIP Exit/Equity Raise – African Finance Corporation
AXA/Apis/EIB Sale of Baobab Group Stake to Beltone Holding – Enexus Finance
Diageo Sale of EAB Plc and UDV Stakes to Asahi – Bank of America
IFC $100M Investment – Raxio Group

Infrastructure Deal of the Year

Abu Qir Port and new Abu Qir City – National Bank of Egypt and Banque Misr
Aksa Enerji – African Finance Corporation (AFC)
Genser Energy – Standard Bank
Craneburg EKSG Motorway 20-Year Infrastructure - Infrastructure Credit Guarantee Company (InfraCredit), Nigeria
Mota-Engil multi-country multi-sector LoC - Trade and Development Bank
New Bugesera International Airport project in Rwanda - African Trade & Investment Development Investment (ATIDI)
Red Rocket Holdco – Rand Merchant Bank

The awards sponsors

About the awards

The African Banker Awards are a landmark annual event for African banking taking place during the annual meetings of the African Development Bank. Organised by African Banker magazine under the high patronage of the African Development Bank, the African Banker Awards celebrate excellence and best practices in African banking.

Recognising the personalities and banks that are driving Africa's rapidly transforming financial sector, the African Banker Awards bring together industry leaders from Africa and the world. They celebrate the achievements of those who are driving growth and development and creating new economic opportunities for citizens and communities all over the continent and inspire new generations of bankers who are shaping Africa's future.

Wednesday 27th May 2026

Brazzaville, Republic of Congo

The awards categories

African Banker of the Year

Celebrating an individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and impact in the African banking sector over the past year

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African Bank of the Year

Institutions with capital below $350m

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African Bank of the Year

Institutions with capital between $350m and $700m

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African Bank of the Year

Institutions with capital above $700m

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DFI of the Year

Awarding a Development Finance Institution that has played a pivotal role in supporting economic development and infrastructure projects across Africa.

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FinTech of the Year Award

Highlighting a fintech company that has introduced groundbreaking technology and innovative solutions to enhance financial inclusion and services in Africa.

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Sustainable Bank of the Year - Sponsored by 4G Capital

Honouring a bank that has made significant strides in promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility within its and services.

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SME Bank of the Year

Acknowledging a bank that has excelled in providing support, financing, and tailored services to small and medium-sized enterprises, fostering entrepreneurship and growth.

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Infrastructure Deal of the Year

This award will go the deal which has had the most significant impact and exceptional achievements in infrastructure development projects across the continent.

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Deal of the Year - Equity

This award will go to the deal which has had the most significant impact. The committee will take into consideration the complexity of the deal, its size and the groundbreaking role it may have played.

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Deal of the Year - Debt

This award will go the deal which has had the most significant impact. The committee will take into consideration the complexity of the deal, its size and the groundbreaking role it may have played.

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