African Banker Awards 2025: Finalists Announced as Banks Champion Innovation, Inclusion, and Growth

The African Banker Awards 2025 shortlist has been unveiled, spotlighting 58 finalists driving innovation, transformation, and inclusive growth across Africa’s financial sector. 

Now in its 18th year, the prestigious awards, organised by African Banker magazine and IC Events under the patronage of the African Development Bank (AfDB), have become a staple in the African banking calendar. The winners will be revealed on May 28 at a gala event in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, coinciding with the Annual Meetings of the AfDB.

The awards continue to honour excellence and leadership within Africa’s banking and finance ecosystem, with special emphasis this year on gender inclusion, sustainable finance, and SME-focused solutions. Notably, two women have been nominated in the high-profile Banker of the Year category, underscoring the increasing influence of women in shaping the continent’s financial future.

This year’s edition is backed by the African Guarantee Fund as the platinum sponsor, recognising its role in mitigating risk for commercial banks lending to SMEs. ATIDI joins as the exclusive cocktail sponsor, highlighting its contributions to investment insurance and risk mitigation services across the continent.

Nominees were selected from over 200 entries across nine competitive categories. From transformative infrastructure deals to standout fintech innovators, the shortlist reflects the dynamism of Africa’s financial landscape.

“Banks have performed strongly last year despite headwinds and currency devaluations in major countries. We also received entries in the deals category that show that there are numerous transformative transactions taking place. And yet, the message remains. Interestingly, SMEs proved to be a profitable asset class and one that banks are paying greater attention to. The advent of AI and other technological advancements are at the centre of bank strategies too. The continent needs even bigger banks to support our growth agenda,” said Omar Ben Yedder, Chair of the Awards Committee.

Below is the full shortlist of the African Banker Awards 2025:

Bank of the Year

• Commercial International Bank Egypt (CIB)

• Ecobank

• First Bank of Nigeria Limited

• Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB Group Plc.)

• Mauritius Commercial Bank (MCB Ltd.)

• Trade and Development Bank Group (TDB Group)

• Coris Bank International

Banker of the Year

• Abdulmajid Mussa Nsekela – CRDB Bank Plc.

• Jeremy Awori – Ecobank

• Karim Awad – EFG Holding

• Léon Konan Koffi – AFG Holding

• Mukwandi Chibesakunda – Zanaco Inc.

• Patricia Ojangole – Uganda Development Bank

• Sidi Ould Tah – The Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA)

Sustainable Bank of the Year

• Commercial International Bank Egypt (CIB)

• CRDB Bank Plc.

• Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB Group Plc.)

• Nedbank

• Trade and Development Bank Group (TDB Group)

Fintech of the Year

• 4G Capital

• Inclusivity Solutions

• Network International

• Oze

• ProfitShare Partners

• Valu

DFI of the Year

• African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank)

• African Trade Insurance Agency

• Bank of Industry

• Banque Ouest Africaine de Développement (BOAD)

• ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID)

• Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB)

• Trade and Development Bank Group (TDB Group)

SME Bank of the Year

• Co-operative Bank of Kenya Ltd.

• CRDB Bank Plc.

• Ecobank

• Standard Bank

• Uganda Development Bank

Deal of the Year – Infrastructure

• US$83.35M Al Zahy Group – National Bank of Egypt

• US$646.64M Envusa Energy – Absa Bank Ltd. / Rand Merchant Bank

• US$1.9B Kano Maradi Railway Project – AFC / Afreximbank

• Project Platinum: US$200M Capital Raise – AFC

• US$188.62M Scatec Mogobe Battery Storage – Standard Bank

• US$1.04B Suez Wind Power Project – AfDB

• US$1.20B Mokolo Crocodile River Water Augmentation – Standard Bank

Deal of the Year – Debt

• US$119M Sustainable Development Bond – EBID

• US$2.05B Facility – Bank of Industry

• US$394M Sustainability Linked Loan – TDB Group

• US$13B Ghana Eurobond Restructuring – Hogan Lovells

• US$18M Social Bond – RMB (Namibia)

• €507.5M Facility – African Trade Insurance Agency

• US$500M Debt Financing – Sahara Group

• US$590M KIMA Project – National Bank of Egypt

Deal of the Year – Equity

• US$2B Aradel Holdings Listing – Standard Bank

• US$470M Boxer IPO – Standard Bank

• US$1.15B FQM Deal – Absa Bank Ltd.

• US$352M Nigerian Breweries Rights Issue – Standard Bank

• US$2.4B Shell Acquisition – PwC Nigeria

• US$470M Boxer IPO – Absa Bank / Standard Bank