The African Banker Awards 2024 : a barometer of the African Banking sector’s vitality

The 18th edition of the African Banker Awards highlights progress in infrastructure, sustainability, and gender equality in the African banking sector. With 59 institutions and individuals in the running, the awards ceremony, scheduled for May 28th in Nairobi, promises to be the highlight of the African banking calendar.

Africa News Agency 29 mai 2024

4 minutes de lecture

By the editorial staff

African Banker magazine has announced the list of nominees for the 2024 edition of the African Banker Awards. They were selected from a record number of entries from across the African continent. For the first time in the history of the Awards, three of the nominees for the prestigious « Banker of the Year » title are women, reflecting the growth of female leaders in the financial sector.

« Financing gaps in infrastructure, trade, and climate finance mean that the banking sector as a whole will need to be even better capitalized, » said Omar Ben Yedder, Chairman of the Awards Committee. « Over the years, we have seen the evolving role of DFIs, » he added. « They are playing an important role in structuring transactions and catalyzing development, often filling gaps in underserved or underrepresented areas. However, looking back at the 18 years of the Awards, it is clear that the size of our domestic banks and the transactions they are capable of structuring have significantly increased. »

Since its inception in 2007, the African Banker Awards have recognized outstanding individuals and organizations driving Africa’s rapidly transforming financial services sector.

Emerging trends and driving forces in the African financial sector

The African Banker Awards 2024, as a barometer of the vitality of the African banking sector, offer valuable insights into the health and dynamics of this evolving industry. By examining the performance of banks and individuals across a range of categories, these awards highlight emerging trends and driving forces in the financial sector on the continent.

This year, the Awards reflect an industry in constant flux, with particular emphasis on key areas such as infrastructure, sustainability, and gender equality. The nominations testify to the growing commitment of financial institutions to meet the changing needs of African communities while promoting economic growth and sustainable development.

By scrutinizing potential winners in the various categories, we can observe the emergence of new trends and best practices in the sector. From commercial finance to investment in infrastructure and financial technology, the candidates demonstrate a diversity of approaches and innovations that drive Africa’s economic prosperity.

Moreover, the inclusion of a record number of women nominated for the « Banker of the Year » title reflects a positive shift towards greater gender diversity and equality within the financial sector. This underscores the growing recognition of the crucial role women play in decision-making and leadership within African banking institutions.

Overall, the African Banker Awards 2024 provide an essential overview of the health and vitality of the African banking sector. By highlighting the successes and challenges of the sector, these awards inspire the industry to continue its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and financial inclusion, while contributing to the ongoing economic and social development of the continent.

The award winners will be announced during a gala dinner on May 28th in Nairobi, Kenya, as an integral part of the official program of the African Development Bank Group’s Annual Meetings.

The African Banker Awards are organized by IC Events under the patronage of the African Development Bank.

The nominees for the African Banker Awards 2024 are as follows:

Bank of the Year

African Export-Import Bank
Ecobank
KCB Group
Rawbank
Trade and Development Bank Group
Uganda Development Bank
United Bank for Africa

Banker of the Year

Admassu Tadesse – Trade and Development Bank Group
Anel Bosman – Nedbank
Karim Awad – EFG Holding
Miriam Olusanya – Guaranty Trust Bank
Patricia Ojangole – Uganda Development Bank
Serge Ekue – Banque Ouest-Africaine de Développement
Sidi Ould Tah – Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa

Trade Finance Award

Access Bank NigeriaAttijariwafa Bank (AWB) Group
Bank of Africa (BOA/BMCE) Group
Diamond Trust Bank Kenya
First Bank Nigeria (FBN)

Deal of the Year – Debt

Absa Bank Ltd – 2 tranches valued at TZS 212bn and USD 73mn respectively – Absa – NMB Bank
African Development Bank – $117 million The Globeleq Menengai Geothermal Power Project in Kenya
Africa Finance Corporation – $1.82bn Project KaMa
African Frontier Capital – $500m Brighter Life Securitization
Hogan Lovells – $16bn Ghana Debt Restructuring
MUFG Bank – €774m Project Strada – UKEF backed loan to support FERA and the Republic of Senegal in its nation-wide road programme
Standard Bank – $775m Foschini Group Syndicated Funding Package

Deal of the Year – Equity

Absa Bank – $500m Airtel Uganda IPO
Banque Ouest Africaine de Développement – $100m BOAD Hybrid Bond
Pangaea Securities – $145m Affirma Capital Limited’s acquisition of Copperbelt Energy Corporation
Rothschild – $1.1bn investment into Mopani Copper Mines plc by International Resources Holding RSC
Standard Bank – $200 million Meridiam’s acquisition of controlling stake in Kipeto

Infrastructure Deal of the Year

African Export-Import Bank – $203m Great Horn Investments Holding “GHIH”
African Export-Import Bank – $1.762bn Tanzania Railways, Government of Tanzania
African Trade Insurance Agency – €350m Benin Project IROKO
Banque Misr – $352.4m Fiber Misr for Telecommunications & Information Technology (Benya Technologies)
Hogan Lovells – $15bn Simandou mining and infrastructure project
InfraCredit – $38m InfraCredit’s Guarantee of Lagos Free Zone Issuance Fixed Rate Infrastructure Bonds
Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited – $461m Sukuk Issuance for construction and rehabilitation of critical road infrastructure

Agriculture Deal of the Year

Absa Bank – Volcafe Limited $80m East Africa Borrowing Base Facility
Co-operative Bank of Kenya – Co-op Bank & Kenya Coffee Direct Settlement System
National Bank of Egypt – $400m Evergrow For Specialized Fertilizers
Standard Chartered – $692m Ghana Cocoa Board Pre-export Receivables Backed Trade Finance Facility

DFI of the Year