African Banker Magazine has announced a list of candidates for this year's annual African Banker Awards edition.
The winner will be known for the official gala ceremony scheduled for May 28th in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, as part of the official programme of the African Development Bank's annual general meeting.
The 2025 edition of the African Banker Awards will be held by an IC event under the auspices of African Banker Magazine and African Development Bank. The Platinum Sponsor of the ceremony will remain the African Guarantee Fund. The African Guarantee Fund is a fund created to share risks with commercial banks and encourages them to lend to the SME sector, but Atidi provides facilities to ensure that they counter the country's risks and other related insurance services.
Since its founding in 2007, the African Banker Awards seek to recognize and celebrate exceptional individuals and organizations that have driven Africa's rapidly changing financial services sector.
The candidates for the African Bank Award 2025 were selected from over 200 entries submitted by banks across the African continent in nine categories. This year, two female bank executives appeared as nominees for the prestigious “Bunker of the Year” award, highlighting the key role women play in shaping the banking and financial landscapes in Africa.
Speaking about the awards, Omar Ben Idar, chairman of the awards committee, focused on small and medium-sized businesses, commenting on sustainable banking practices and the role of fintech in ecosystems. “Last year, banks performed strongly last year despite headwinds and currency devaluations in major countries. We also received entries in the transaction category that show that many transformational transactions are taking place. Nonetheless, the message remains. Please support our growth agenda.”
The candidates for the African Banker Awards 2025 are:
Bank of the Year
Commercial International Bank Egypt (CIB) Ecobank First Nigeria Limited Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB Group Plc.) Mauritius Commercial Bank (McB Ltd.) Trade Development Bank Group (TDB Group) Coris Bank International
Bunker of the Year
Abdulmajid Mussa Nsekela РCrdb Bank Plc.Jeremy Awori РEcobankkarim Awad РEFG Holdingl̩onKonan Koffi РAFG HoldingMukwandi Chibesakunda РZanaco Inc.Patricia Ojangole РUganda Development Banki
Sustainable Bank this year
Commercial International Bank Egypt (CIB) CRDB BANK PLC.Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB Group Plc.)Nedbanktrade and Development Bank Group (TDB Group)
This year's Fintech
4G CapitalClusivity SolutionsNetwork InternationalOzeprofitshare PartnersValu
DFI of the Year
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) Industrybanque Ouest Ouest Africaine de Development (Boad) Ecowas Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) Shelter Afrique Development Bank (SHAFDB) Trade and Development Bank Group (TDB Group) African Trade Insurance Agent Bank
SME Bank of the Year
Kenya Cooperative Bank Ltd.CRDB BANK PLC.ECOBANKSTANDARD BANKUGANDA Development Bank
This year's trading – Infrastructure
83.35 mm Alzahi Group for Total Contracts (Ahmed Elz Zahhi & Company) – Egypt National Bank $646.64 mm (Zar 12 billion) envusa Energy – Absa Bank Limited / Rand Merchant Banks $19 billion Kanomaradi Railway Project Capital Rays Supported Dividend by Bua Industries Limited – Africa Financial Corporationus $188.62 mm (ZAR 35 billion) SCATEC Mogobe Battery Energy Storage System – Standard Banks $10.4 billion 1.1 GW Wind Power Project Egypt: Renewable Future in Africa – Africa Development Banks $12 billion – Bank Agriculture Salary
This year's trading – Debt
119 mm Green, Social and Sustainable Development Bonds – ECOWAS Bank Investment Development Bank (EBID) US$2.05 billion – 2024 Facilities – Afrimank/African Finance Corporation/Bank Bank/Bank $394 MM Group (Mauritius) Hogan Lovells $18 mm $18 mm Letshego Holdings Namibia Limited Social Bond – First Land Repub €507.5 Facilities in Benin – US$500 mm Debt Sub-Participation Financing for African Trade Insurance Agent Group – African Financial Company
This year's deal – Kohei
Aradel Holdings' US$2 Billion List with Introduction to Nigerian Exchange Limited – Standard Bankboxer's 470 mm Initial Public Offer (IPO) – ABSA BankFQM's US$115 Million Purchase Trade on Toronto Stock Exchange – ABSA BABK LTD. NIGERIAN BREWERIES 'US $352 MM BIRNISITION ESCIONTIN PWC Nigeria
