African Banker Awards 2009 nominees announced

Supported by the African Development Bank the African Banker Awards aims to recognise and reward individuals, companies and institutions which have excelled in Africa's banking and financial sector over the last year. According to the oranisers, twice as many entries have been received compared to previous years.

African Bank of the Year nominees:

• Arab African International Bank (Egypt)
  
• Banco Angolano de Investimentos (Angola)
  
• Banque Marocaine du Commerce Extérieur (Morocco)
  
• Ecobank Group (Togo)
  
• First Bank of Nigeria
  
• United Bank for Africa (Nigeria)

African Banker of the Year nominees:

• Tayo Aderinokun, (MD/CEO, GTB Nigeria)
  
• Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, (CEO/MD, Access Bank, Nigeria)
  
• Bashir Awale (MD, Stanbic Bank, Tanzania)
  
• James Mwangi (CEO, Equity Bank, Kenya)
  
• Martin Oduor-Otieno (Group CEO, Kenya Commercial Bank)

Five of the awards, Lifetime Achievement Award, Finance Minister of the Year, Central Bank Governor of the Year, Best Development Bank in Africa and Best Global Bank in Africa will be chosen by the editorial committee of the African Banker Awards. All awards will be presented during the gala dinner.

Nigerian and South African banks are well represented but a rising number of banks from other countries is noted, including Angola, Chad, Ghana, Morocco, Egypt, Kenya, Mozambique and Zambia.

To view the full shortlist of nominees and categories, go to http://www.ic-events.net/awards/africanbanker/.

Commenting on the nominations, Anver Versi, editor of African Banker magazine said, “The volume of submissions demonstrates how seriously banks are going about their business, not only in terms of expansion but also CSR activities, capacity building, recruitment and bringing world class practices to their industry. Banks are playing a critical role in raising expectations of what businesses can and should be achieving in Africa.”

Afif Ben Yedder, publisher of the African Banker magazine underlined the importance of recognising excellence in African banking and finance: “The African Banker Awards have now become a major event during the World Bank/IMF annual meetings. It is a great occasion to celebrate the successes of African bankers and achievements of the financial institutions of the continent.” On the nominees he commented: “They are among the best African bankers and banks in the continent. They include all the major players in the financial sector as well as the ministers of finance and central bank governors.”

For more information, go to www.africanbankerawards.com.