Among
those who attended this prestigious pan African event, which for the
first time was held under marquees on an open field in the shadow of two
of Africa's most magnificent mountains, Mt Meru and Mt Kilimanjo were
the Ministers of Finance of Djibouti, Guinea, Rwanda, Senegal, as well
as a number of central bank governors and high profile bank CEOs.
As
the 450 guests enjoyed their dinner in one of East Africa's most
spectacular landscapes, with the world-famous Ngorogoro national park
only a few hours drive away, Omar ben Yedder said : We have recognised
some superb individuals and institutions tonight. Africa's financial
sector is a major vehicle for driving the economic growth that has
become the talk of the investor community around the world. We have
honoured individuals who are prepared to take the bull by the horn, to
carry out well thought out visions and who have raised the bar and in
some cases taken difficult decisions to deliver on their agenda. Good
examples are the Central Bank Governor of Tunisia and the Finance
Minister of Guinea. The winners this year represent a good mix between
francophone and Anglophone Africa, big and small countries. They reflect
the achievements in banking and finance all over Africa."
Perhaps
the most moving episode of the evening came when Ecobank CEO, Arnold
Ekpe, now regarded as a living legend among the continent's bankers, was
presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the founder and
chairman of IC Publications, (publisher of African Banker), Afif Ben
Yedder. Ekpe was given a standing ovation. Ecobank had more reason to
celebrate the evening, when the Togo based African multinational beat a
very strong challenge to emerge as the Bank of the Year.
There
were more cheers when Ethiopia's Dr Eleni Gabre-Mahdin, founder and
managing director of the Ethiopia Commodity Exchange was named as this
year's African Banker Icon. She follows in the footsteps of Ngozi
Okonjo-Iweala and Adebayo Ogunlesi who were previous winners.
Olusegun
Agbaje, Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank, Nigeria scooped the
prize for African Banker of the year. He was presented with his Trophy
by Tim Turner, Director of the Private Sector Operations of the African
Development Bank at the picturesque Frangipani Gardens, where the Awards
ceremony took place.
The
Best Regional Bank winners from each of the five regions of Africa
were: Attijariwafa Bank, Morocco for North Africa; BGFI, Gabon for
Central Africa; Bank of Kigali, Rwanda for East Africa; Access Bank,
Nigeria for West Africa; and BCI, Mozambique for Southern Africa- thus
highlighting Africa's diversity but strength as one continent.
The
African Banker Awards are organised by African Banker magazine, IC
Events and BusinessinAfrica Events. It is a landmark event that
celebrates excellence and best practices in African banking and
finance.Mediterranean Smart Cards Company (MSCC) is the Platinum sponsor
for this year's African Banker Awards. Other sponsors include Bank of
Industry, Harland Financial Solutions, Ecobank Nedbank Alliance,
Giesecke & Devrient, Air Charter Logistics, AfreximBank, Africa Re,
Africa Finance Corporation, and the Tunisian based BIAT.
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