In parallel with the African Development Bank Annual Meetings, the African Banker Awards 2023 Gala Ceremony was held at the Rixos Hotel in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.
More than 300 of the continent’s most influential bankers, regulators, and policymakers were present for the ceremony.
The African Banker Awards, now in its 17th edition, honor the accomplishments of people and organizations who have made significant contributions over the previous year to the expansion and development of Africa’s banking sector.
Key moments from the event:
Esther Kariuki is the second woman to receive the African Banker of the Year Award.
The African Banker of the Year award went to Esther Kariuki, Head of Agriculture Business of the Co-op Bank of Kenya. It was undoubtedly one of the most desired trophies of the evening. Ms. Kariuki has played a crucial role in making agriculture a significant asset class for her organization. She was not only a leader and an inspiration, but she also oversaw the launch of the Co-op Bank Soko platform, a digital marketplace that connects the agriculture value chain and guarantees, among other things, that small-holder farmers receive a higher price for their produce.
Two wins for Afreximbank at the African Banker Awards 2023
In Sharm El Sheikh, the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) was presented with two renowned prizes in honor of its expanding influence in the continent’s financial services industry. The Cairo-based company was honored as both the African Bank of the Year and the Development Financial Institution of the Year, making it the only company to do so at this year’s gala.
Harvesh Seegolam of Mauritius is named the year’s Central Bank Governor.
Harvesh Kumar Seegolam, the Mauritius Central Bank’s youngest-ever governor, received the Central Bank Governor of the Year Award. Governor Seegolam, who was appointed at the start of the COVID-19 epidemic, used the Mauritius Investment Corporation (MIC) to invest in private sector operators and so provide crucial financial support to important economic sectors. Its most recent returns report showed that, despite the difficult economic circumstances, the investments made through the MIC have improved in value.
Full list of winners:
Banker of the Year – Ms Esther Kariuki, Co-operative Bank of Kenya
Bank of the Year – Afreximbank
African Banker Icon – Miguel Azevedo, Citi
Lifetime Achievement – Mr. Hisham Ezz Al-Arab, Commercial International Bank
Central Bank Governor of the Year – Harvesh Seegolam, Bank of Mauritius
Minister of Finance of the Year – Hon. Enoch Godongwana, South Africa
Sustainable Bank of the Year – Nedbank, South Africa
DFI of the Year – Afreximbank
Fintech of the Year – MFS Africa
SME Bank of the Year – La Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations – CDC
Deal of the Year – Debt – Harmony Gold Company syndicated multi-tranche, multi-currency, loan facility of US$400m and R4bn – Absa&Nedbank
Deal of the Year – Equity – US$298m Infinity Energy equity investment and Lekela Power acquisition – Africa Finance Corporation
Deal of the Year – Agriculture – US$78m funding facility for the Southern Oil Structured Commodity Finance Transaction – Absa
Deal of the Year – Infrastructure – US$900m debt funding facility for Scatec Solar PV plus Battery Storage Project – Standard Bank
Regional Bank of the Year – North – Bank of Africa
Regional Bank of the Year – Southern – Zambia National Commercial Bank (Zanaco)
Regional Bank of the Year – East – CRDB Bank
Regional Bank of the Year – Central – Trust Merchant Bank
Regional Bank of the Year – West – Vista Bank
AFAWA Bank of the Year Award – Letshego, Nigeria
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