Thursday 22nd May 2014 – Women triumphed at this year’s African Banker Awards 2014. Vivienne Yeda, Director General of the East African Development Bank, scooped the much-coveted award for African Banker of the Year. Linah Mohohlo was named Central Bank Governor of the Year.
Elizabeth Mary Oleko, chairperson of the Kenya Women Finance Trust rounded up a strong performance for women bankers with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The winners of the eighth edition of African Banker magazine’s African Banker Awards were announced at a prestigious ceremony attended on the 21st May at the Kigali Serena Hotel. Among the guests were HE Festus Mogae, former President of Botswana, and also HE Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda who received a Special Recognition Award for his leadership and vision. Numerous ministers of finance and bank CEOs were also present.
This year the judges also recognised the smaller financial institutions and those, which have operated in challenging environments. Trust Merchant Bank, an independent commercial bank operating in DR Congo won Best Bank in Central Africa. Mali, whose government successfully transitioned to a democratically elected President after a 2012 coup that crippled the economy, was celebrated by Ecobank Mali who won Best Bank in West Africa. Stanbic Zimbabwe beat tough competition from bigger banks to become Best Bank in Southern Africa, despite challenging economic conditions.
Two landmark deals were rewarded. Bob Diamond, previously of Barclays Bank, saw the $325m IPO of his new investment vehicle, Atlas Mara Co-Nvest, win Deal of the Year, which was overseen by Citi. And the $3.3bn finance facility for Dangote Industries to build the continent’s largest refinery, petrochemical and fertiliser plant was also rewarded, with Standard Chartered who was the lead financier on the transaction receiving the award.
Commenting on the ceremony, Omar Ben Yedder, Publisher of African Banker commended the landmark achievement by banks. “We are here in Kigali where we have witnessed the transformation of a country. Since we have launched the awards we have witnessed the transformation of an industry. There is no room for complacency because there is much room for growth and development to achieve the transformation we all desire and work towards. But seeing local African banks finance and structure international deals is a step forward and unimaginable a decade back. And I am delighted to see three women pick up three coveted individual awards. Congratulations to them all!’
The African Banker Awards are organised by African Banker magazine and BusinessinAfrica Events (BIAE). It is a landmark event that celebrates excellence and best practices in African banking and finance.
Winners
Special Recognition Award
HE President Paul Kagame
Lifetime Achievement Award
Elizabeth Mary Okelo
African Bank of the Year
GTBank
African Banker of the Year
Vivienne Yeda, Director General, East African Development Bank
African Banker Icon
Andrew Alli, CEO, Africa Finance Corporation
Central Bank Governor of the Year
HE Linah Mohohlo
Botswana
Finance Minister of the Year
Hon Armando Manuel
Angola
Investment Bank of the Year
Rand Merchant Bank
Award for Innovation in Banking
Nedbank
Socially Responsible Bank of the Year
Nedbank
Award for Financial Inclusion
MasterCard
Deal of the Year – Equity
Atlas Mara Co-Nvest
Citigroup Global Markets
Deal of the Year – Debt
Financing Facility, Dangote Group Petrochemical Plant
Standard Chartered Bank
Fund of the Year
Investec Asset Management
Best Retail Bank in Africa
State Bank Mauritius
Best Islamic Finance Initiative
Banque Islamique de Mauritanie
Best Bank in North Africa
Banque Centrale Populaire
Best Bank in Southern Africa
Stanbic Zimbabwe
Best Bank in East Africa
Bank of Kigali
Best Bank in West Africa
Ecobank Mali
Best Bank in Central Africa
Trust Merchant Bank
Mortgage Bank of the Year
Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company
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