First Bank, Ecobank named finalists in African Banker Awards 2025
Onome Amuge
First Bank of Nigeria Limited and Ecobank have been shortlisted for the Bank of the Year award as African Banker magazine announced the nominees for its 2025 edition. The awards, now a key fixture on the African banking calendar, recognise and celebrate the advancements made by financial institutions across the continent, with a particular emphasis this year on innovation, transformation, inclusivity, and gender equality.
In total, 58 nominees have been selected across nine categories from over 200 entries submitted by banks spanning the African continent. The winners will be announced at a gala ceremony scheduled for May 28th in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, coinciding with the Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank (AfDB).
Other prominent contenders for the Bank of the Year award include Commercial International Bank Egypt (CIB), Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB Group Plc.), Mauritius Commercial Bank (MCB Ltd.), Trade and Development Bank Group (TDB Group), and Coris Bank International.
The Banker of the Year category also features a strong list of contenders, including Abdulmajid Mussa Nsekela of CRDB Bank Plc., Jeremy Awori from Ecobank, Karim Awad of EFG Holding, Léon Konan Koffi representing AFG Holding, Mukwandi Chibesakunda of Zanaco Inc., Patricia Ojangole from Uganda Development Bank, and Sidi Ould Tah of The Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA). Notably, two female bank executives are among the nominees for this top individual honour, underscoring the increasing influence of women in Africa’s financial sector.
Omar Ben Yedder, chair of the awards committee, pointed out the growing focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), sustainable banking practices, and the evolving role of fintech companies within the financial ecosystem. “Banks have performed strongly last year despite headwinds and currency devaluations in major countries. 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,” Yedder commented.
The awards also recognise excellence in sustainable banking, with CIB Egypt, CRDB Bank Plc., KCB Group Plc., Nedbank, and TDB Group vying for the Sustainable Bank of the Year title.
The Fintech of the Year category showcases the rising innovation within the sector, with nominees including Fourth Generation Capital Ltd, Inclusivity Solutions, Network International, Oze, ProfitShare Partners, and Valu – EFG Holding.
Development finance institutions are also acknowledged, with 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), and TDB Group competing for DFI of the year.
The “SME Bank of the Year” category features Co-operative Bank of Kenya Ltd., CRDB Bank Plc., Ecobank, Standard Bank, and Uganda Development Bank, reflecting the increasing importance of supporting this vital sector of African economies.
The awards also celebrate significant deals across the continent, with categories for Deal of the Year – Infrastructure, Deal of the Year – Debt, and Deal of the Year – Equity, highlighting transformative transactions in various sectors.
The African Banker Awards, since its inception in 2007, has aimed to recognise and celebrate the exceptional individuals and organisations driving the rapid transformation of Africa’s financial services sector. This year’s shortlist underscores the resilience and innovation within the industry despite prevailing economic headwinds.