African Banker Awards 2026 Highlight a Maturing, Resilient Financial Sector
The 20th edition of the African Banker Awards took place on the evening of 12 November 2026 at the Kempinski Hotel in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. The gala was held on the sidelines of the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) annual meeting, bringing together policymakers, banking leaders, and industry experts from across the continent. The event underscored a financial landscape that is not only recovering from recent shocks but also actively shaping Africa’s economic transformation.
Ceremony Setting and Distinguished Guests
His Excellency the Prime Minister of the Republic of Congo attended on behalf of President Denis Sassou Nguesso, while Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, President of the AfDB, delivered opening remarks. The evening featured a live performance by Congolese music icon Koffi Olomide, adding a cultural touchstone to the proceedings. Omar Ben Yedder, Chairman of the Awards Committee, used his address to stress the strategic importance of financial sovereignty:
“Without strong banks and strong financial institutions at its core, nothing meaningful will happen on this continent. The coming decades will be shaped by how courageous our business leaders are and how willing our banks are to move with them into new sectors, new markets and new models of cooperation.”
Infrastructure Deals Take Centre Stage
Several awards recognised transactions that directly support infrastructure development, a pillar of the AfDB’s High 5 agenda. Notable mentions include:
- The Red Rocket Holdco renewable energy financing package in South Africa, lauded for mobilising private capital toward clean‑energy goals.
- NBET Finance Company PLC’s £501.02 million (approximately US$346.7 million) bond issuance, designed to alleviate Nigeria’s energy‑sector debt bottleneck.
- The Arise IIP Exit/Equity Raise, which aims to accelerate industrialisation across multiple African economies.
These deals illustrate how African banks are increasingly capable of structuring complex, cross‑border financing that aligns with continental development objectives.
Category Winners and Their Contributions
The judging panel, composed of senior figures from African Banker magazine, the AfDB, and partner institutions, selected 18 winners across a range of categories. Highlights include:
- Banker of the Year: Serge Ekué, President of the West African Development Bank (BOAD), recognised for his leadership in mobilising regional development finance and fostering public‑private partnerships.
- Bank of the Year: Ecobank, honoured for returning to sustained growth and profitability after a period of restructuring, and for reinstating dividend payments to shareholders.
- Sustainable Bank of the Year: Bank of Industry (Nigeria), cited for its green‑loan portfolio and support for renewable‑energy projects.
- Fintech of the Year: Ziidi Trader (Nairobi Stock Exchange), applauded for democratising access to equity markets through a low‑cost mobile trading platform.
- Finance Minister of the Year: Situmbeko Musokotwane of Zambia, acknowledged for steering the country’s macro‑economic recovery and restoring fiscal stability.
- Central Bank Governor of the Year: André Wameso of the Democratic Republic of Congo, praised for strengthening banking‑sector oversight and facilitating the nation’s inaugural Eurobond issuance.
- Best Bank in Central Africa: TMB (DRC), recognised for its robust retail network and innovative SME lending products.
- AFAWA Bank of the Year: Rawbank (DRC), awarded for expanding financing to women‑led enterprises in line with the AfDB’s Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa initiative.
Supporting Partners and Sponsors
The ceremony’s success was bolstered by a coalition of organisations committed to deepening Africa’s financial ecosystem:
- Platinum Sponsor: African Guarantee Fund – a risk‑sharing mechanism that encourages commercial banks to extend credit to small and medium‑sized enterprises.
- Exclusive Cocktail Sponsor: African Trade and Investment Development Insurance (ATIDI) – provides hedging solutions against sovereign and commercial risks.
- Gold Sponsors: Afreximbank and the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID).
- Associate Partner: GTBank (Nigeria).
- Main Partner: Algest Investment Bank.
These partners not only underwrote the event but also contribute year‑round to initiatives that promote inclusive finance, trade facilitation, and infrastructure investment across the continent.
Looking Ahead
The 2026 African Banker Awards reaffirm that Africa’s banking sector is evolving from a focus on stability to one of proactive growth and innovation. As highlighted by the award‑winning projects and leaders, the continent’s financial institutions are increasingly equipped to fund transformative infrastructure, support entrepreneurship—particularly among women—and deepen integration into global capital markets. Stakeholders anticipate that the momentum generated at Brazzaville will translate into measurable gains in job creation, industrial output, and sustainable development in the years to come.
