Kenya woman scoops lifetime achievement award at a Bankers' event

Kenyan woman, Elizabeth Mary Okelo chairperson of the Kenya Women Finance Trust rounded up a strong performance for women bankers with the Lifetime Achievement Award as winners of the eighth edition of African Banker magazine's African Banker Awards were announced at a prestigious ceremony attended on the 21^st May at the Kigali Serena Hotel.

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.

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