African Banker magazine

SAVE THE DATE | 27 May | Brazzaville 🇨🇬 The African Banker Awards return to Brazzaville for a landmark 20th edition, celebrating 20 years of impact, excellence and leadership across Africa’s financial sector. For sponsorship, submissions or to attend the ceremony, contact awards@icpublications.com. This year will be bigger and bolder, don’t miss it!

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Two decades of excellence. And we are just getting started. From our very first edition to this month in Brazzaville, the African Banker Awards turns 20 this year and has been a front row seat to the transformation of a continent. Thank you to every winner, nominee, and partner who has been part of this story.

Equity Deal of the Year - African Banker Awards 2026 We are proud to present the nominees behind some of the most compelling equity transactions across the continent this year. These deals reflect the growing sophistication and ambition of African capital markets: Arise IIP Exit/Equity Raise – Africa Finance Corporation (@africa_finance) Africa Capital Alliance Divestment of 16% Stake in Aradel Holdings – Cardinal Stone Partners (@CardinalStoneNG) AXA/Apis/EIB Sale of Baobab Group Stake to Beltone Holding – Enexus Finance Diageo Sale of EAB Plc and UDV Stakes to Asahi – Bank of America (@BankofAmerica) IFC $100M Investment in Raxio Group – Raxio Group (@raxio_group) The winner will be announced on Wednesday 27th May 2026 in Brazzaville, Congo.

@afreximbank ➡️ Learn more: africanbankerawards.com

We thank Afreximbank, Gold Sponsor of the African Banker Awards 2026, for their continued support. Their contribution plays a vital role in shining a light on the deals, institutions and leaders shaping the future of African banking. @afreximbank

Deal of the Year: Infrastructure - African Banker Awards 2026 We are proud to present the nominees behind some of the most significant infrastructure financing deals shaping Africa's development. These transactions represent the scale of ambition and collaboration driving the continent forward: Aksa Enerji – Africa Finance Corporation (@africa_finance) Abu Qir Port and New Abu Qir City – National Bank of Egypt (@NBE1898) Abu Qir Port and New Abu Qir City – Banque Misr (@BanqueMisr) Genser Energy – Standard Bank Group (@SBGroup) Craneburg EKSG Motorway 20-Year Infrastructure – @InfraCredit Mota-Engil Multi-Country Multi-Sector LoC – TDB Group (@TdbGroup) New Bugesera International Airport, Rwanda – ATIDI (@ATI_ACA) Red Rocket Holdco – Rand Merchant Bank (@RMBCIB) The winner will be announced on Wednesday 27th May 2026 in Brazzaville, Congo.

➡️ Learn more about the Awards: africanbankerawards.com

Throwback to Abidjan, 2025. Patricia Ojangole was crowned Banker of the Year at the 19th African Banker Awards and hasn't slowed down since. 173 SMEs financed, 50,000+ jobs created, and UDB's balance sheet grown tenfold under her leadership. 🏆 Who takes the title in 2026? Find out in Brazzaville, 27th May. @UDB_Official

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We thank the African Development Bank Group, High Patron of the African Banker Awards 2026, for their continued support. Their partnership strengthens our mission to celebrate the institutions and individuals driving Africa's financial transformation. @AfDB_Group

DFI of the Year - African Banker Awards 2026 We are proud to present the nominees driving development finance and delivering long-term impact across Africa. These institutions are mobilising capital and financing the infrastructure, industries, and communities that will define the continent's future: Africa Finance Corporation (@africa_finance) African Guarantee Fund (@AGF_Group) African Export-Import Bank (@afreximbank) Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) (@badeabank) Bank of Industry (@BOINigeria) Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (@CrediCorpNG) West African Development Bank (BOAD) (@BOAD_official) The winner will be announced on Wednesday 27th May 2026 in Brazzaville, Congo.

At the 12th Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development in Addis Ababa, ECA Executive Secretary Claver Gatete delivered a clear message: with the 2030 SDG deadline approaching, the continent must move decisively. He called on African governments to move beyond fragmented interventions and adopt coordinated, systems-level thinking. What will it take for Africa to go from theoretical discussions to a pragmatic, action-led approach on the ground? Read more and join the conversation: eu1.hubs.ly/H0vbpSd0

SME Bank of the Year – African Banker Awards 2026 We are proud to present the nominees championing small and medium enterprises and driving inclusive economic growth across Africa. These institutions are going above and beyond to support the businesses that power the continent: Equity bank (@KeEquityBank) Co-Operative Bank of Kenya (@Coopbankenya) Ghana Commercial Bank (@GCBOfficallll) Trust Merchant Bank (@TMB_CD) Uganda Development Bank (@UDB_Official) The winner will be announced on Wednesday 27th May 2026 in Brazzaville, Congo.

Fintech of the Year – African Banker Awards 2026 We are proud to present the nominees redefining financial services through innovation and technology across Africa. These companies are driving progress in digital finance and expanding access to financial solutions across the continent: Inclusivity Solutions (@InclusivitySols) Ziidi Trader (@Ziiditrader) Nala (@NALAmoney) Thoburns Valu The winner will be announced on Wednesday 27th May 2026 in Brazzaville, Congo.

Bank of the Year - African Banker Awards 2026 We are proud to present the nominees who have demonstrated outstanding performance, resilience, and leadership in African banking. These institutions are setting the standard for excellence across the continent: Arab African International Bank (@AAIBank) Co-Operative Bank of Kenya (@Coopbankenya) Bank of Africa (@BankOfAfrica_ke, @Bank_OfAfrica) Ecobank (@GroupEcobank) Equity Group (@KeEquityBank) Guaranty Trust (@gtbank) The winner will be announced on May 27th in Brazzaville, Congo.

Read the full story and tell us your thoughts: african.business/2026/05/africa…

The inaugural Africa We Build Summit in Nairobi saw policymakers, investors and industry leaders come together to address a simple but urgent question: with an estimated $4 trillion in domestic capital available across the continent, why is so little of it flowing into infrastructure and industry? Pension funds pooled resources to finance a new East Africa Infrastructure Fund, while Aliko Dangote personally announced plans to replicate his landmark refinery in Tanzania. The Summit signalled a shift in both ambition and action. Is Africa finally ready to take the reins in financing its own development?

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A moment that captures those shaping Africa’s financial future. At the African Banker Awards, last year’s winners reflected the ambition and leadership driving the continent forward, far beyond the stage. Who will define the next chapter? Learn more about the African Banker Awards 2026

Read more and share your thoughts: african.business/2026/04/africa…

As oil tops $115 a barrel and nearly a fifth of global LNG flows face disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, the world is reminded that global energy security is only as strong as the weakest link in the supply chain. With vast reserves in its Rovuma Basin feeding directly into the Indian Ocean, Mozambique bypasses the world's most vulnerable supply routes entirely. Is this the moment Mozambique becomes a focal point in global energy discussions?