The

African Banker

African

Banker

Awards

Compete. Celebrate. Connect.

View the Photo Gallery

Celebrating excellence and best practices in African banking.

A landmark annual banking event

The African Banker Awards are designed to recognise the reforms, rapid modernisation, consolidation, integration and expansion of Africa's banking and financial system. The 2026 Awards Ceremony will take place in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo on Wednesday 27th May, during the African Development Bank Annual Meetings (May 25 to May 29 2026).The call for entries opens on 4 February. To receieve updates and entry details, email us at [email protected] to join the mailing list.

Would you like to learn more? Or sponsor the African Banker Awards 2026?

Contact our team for information: [email protected]

2025 winners

Institutions

Bank of the Year

Trade and Development Bank Group (TDB Group)

Sustainable Bank of the Year

Nedbank

DFI of the Year

African Trade & Investment Development Insurance

Fintech of the Year

4G Capital

SME Bank of the Year

CRDB Bank Plc.

AFAWA Bank of the Year

Ecobank

People

Banker of the Year

Patricia Ojangole - Uganda Development Bank

Lifetime Achievement

Idrissa Nassa, CEO, Coris Bank International

Central Bank Governor of the Year

H.E. Olayemi Cardoso, Nigeria

Finance Minister of the Year

H.E. Nadia Fettah Alaoui, Kingdom of Morocco

Regional Banks

Regional Bank of the Year - North Africa

Commercial International Bank

Regional Bank of the Year - East Africa

Equity Bank

Regional Bank of the Year - Central Africa

BGFIBank Group

Regional Bank of the Year - West Africa

GTBank

Deals

Infrastructure Deal of the Year

The Suez 1.1 GW Wind Power Project in Egypt - African Development Bank

Deal of the Year - Debt

The Bank of Industry €1.87bn syndicated Debt Issuance facility - Africa Finance Corporation and Afreximbank

Deal of the Year - Equity

Project Arden - Renaissance Energy’s $2.4bn acquisition of Shell Petroleum Development Company - PwC Nigeria

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

Read more ->

African Bank of the Year

Institutions with capital below $350m

Read more ->

African Bank of the Year

Institutions with capital between $350m and $700m

Read more ->

African Bank of the Year

Institutions with capital above $700m

Read more ->

DFI of the Year

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

Read more ->

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.

Read more ->

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.

Read more ->

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.

Read more ->

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.

Read more ->

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.

Read more ->

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.

Read more ->