Africa’s top bankers, ministers of finance, governors of central banks and industry leaders came together on the 6th of October at the Four Seasons Hotel in Istanbul, Turkey, to recognize the continent’s successes in banking at an unforgettable awards ceremony and gala dinner.
Bankers from Nigeria, Morocco, Kenya, Angola, South Africa, Togo, Ghana, Mali and Chad, representing North, South, East, West and Central Africa, were amongst the nominees of this year’s African Banker Awards making this truly a pan-African gathering of champions.
A total of 14 awards were presented during the ceremony. The African Banker of the Year award went to Tayo Aderinokun, Managing Director/CEO, GTB Nigeria, the African Bank of the Year award went to Ecobank-ETI. The Lifetime Achievement award was presented to a pioneer of African banking, Paul Derreumaux, the President of the Mali-based Group Bank of Africa, whose outstanding achievements in banking have contributed to Africa’s substantial economic transformation. The award for Finance Minister of the Year was handed to Dr. Youssef Boutros-Ghali, Minister of Finance, Egypt and Tito Mboweni, Governor, South African Reserve Bank was named Central Bank Governor of the Year.
Omar Ben Yedder, Publisher of African Banker magazine, commented: “African banking and financial institutions have not come unscathed by the global financial and economical crisis. But as they say luck favours the prepared. Whereas banks and financial institutions of yesteryears in Africa would have previously yielded and vanished in such turmoil, the banks of today with stronger capital bases and stronger regulatory bodies have suffered severe challenges, but on the whole managed to withstand these external shocks. This is undoubtedly through strong leadership, vision and sustained reform undertaken by many of the winners and nominees present here today.”
Anver Versi, Editor of African Banker magazine highlighted the potential of Africa: “When all 53 African countries, with all our cultural heritage, with our natural resources, with our populations and with our genius can act as one and speak with one voice, when, as in Istanbul, we can discover unity in our diversity, then the world will see the rise of a power that could become the greatest of all.” On the continent’s banking landscape he commented: “African banking, over the past five years has not only broken its national and regional shackles, it has also broken international boundaries and has taken its first tentative steps outside the continent.”
This year’s event, organised by African Banker magazine and IC Events in partnership with BusinessinAfrica Events, was supported by the African Development Bank in line with its commitment to build a strong and vibrant African banking industry. Sponsors included Ecobank, Lexmark International, Inc. and Centigon. The Awards were held during the World Bank’s critical global discussions on the state of the world’s financial systems which were held this year in Istanbul, Turkey.
Christian Udechukwu, Managing Director, BusinessinAfrica Events announced that next year’s African Banker Awards will be held in Washington DC, USA, to again coincide with the IMF/World Bank Annual meeting.
======
African Banker Awards Winners 2009
African Banker of the Year
Tayo Aderinokun, CEO, GTB Nigeria
African Bank of the Year
Ecobank-ETI
Best Local Bank in Africa
NBC, Tanzania
Most Innovative Bank
ABSA, South Africa
Socially Responsible Bank of the Year
Nedbank, South Africa
Investment Bank of the Year
Standard Bank, South Africa
Microfinance Bank of the Year
Equity Bank, Kenya
Deal of the Year
Nedbank Capital, Bakwena Refinance
Investment Fund/Private Equity Fund of the Year
Citadel
Lifetime Achievement Award
Paul Derreumaux, President, Group Bank of Africa, Mali
Finance Minister of the Year
Dr. Youssef Boutros-Ghali
Central Bank Governor of the Year
Tito Mboweni
Best Development Bank in Africa
African Development Bank, Tunisia
African Export-Import Bank, Egypt
Best Global Bank in Africa
Barclays Bank
Editor’s note:
The African Banker Awards recognise and reward individuals, companies and institutions which have excelled in Africa’s banking and financial sector over the last year.
The African Banker Awards are organised by African Banker magazine and IC Events in partnership with BusinessinAfrica Events UK Ltd. The event is supported by the African Development Bank and sponsored by Ecobank, Lexmark International, Inc. and Centigon.
About the organisers:
African Banker
African Banker is the only pan-African magazine dedicated to banking in the continent. Launched in 2007, African Banker reflects Africa’s rapidly growing finance and banking sectors. African Banker is published in French and in English to cover the 53 African countries. It has become an essential tool of the people and institutions who pull the strings of Africa’s banking and finance industries. In line with its commitment to banking in Africa, African Banker organises the African Banker Awards to reward the people and financial institutions that are making a big impact on improving the banking industry in Africa.
IC Events
Together with its dedicated team of specialists and extensive network of contacts, IC Events tailors innovative events responding to the most pressing issues in Africa and the Middle East. The events are 100% results-driven, bringing together the main stakeholders and partners involved in the topics tackled to achieve concrete action plans. The events represent a platform to inform, engage, explore and develop. IC Events organises Awards to celebrate excellence across a variety of sectors by rewarding the social, financial, business and political leaders who have contributed most to their field. IC Events organises the African Banker Awards to recognise the rapid growth of Africa’s banking and finance sector.
Supported by:
THE AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK GROUP
The African Development Bank (AfDB) is Africa’s premier development finance institution dedicated to combating poverty and improving living conditions across the continent. The AfDB is also engaged in mobilizing resources for the economic and social progress of its Regional Member Countries (RMCs). The Bank’s mission is to promote economic and social development through loans, equity investments and technical assistance. The AfDB finances projects in infrastructure, agriculture, health, education, public utilities, transport, telecommunications, industry and the private sector.
In Partnership with:
BusinessinAfrica Events UK Ltd
BusinessinAfrica Events is a leading UK based business communication company specialising in live events, public relations, media relations and reputation management for corporate clients, regulatory agencies and governments with a focus on Africa. BiAE provides an interface between Africa and the rest of the world. It offers precise planning, strict budgetary control, excellent logistical preparation, attention to detail, unrivalled regional network of contacts and a top quality database, extensive industry experience, good information flow and the best on-site management.
More information can be found on www.africanbankerawards.com
For more commentary, further information please contact:
Anna Rosenberg
Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7841 3237
Email: Here
