Award Categories & Criteria

The jury will be looking for clear examples and data (financial and qualitative) to support and substantiate the various judging criteria as detailed in the bullet points in each of the categories below.

Examples in terms of growth, market penetration, deal sizes, transactions etc should be backed up with concrete numbers, such as number of customers, transaction volumes, growth in profits, capital, ROE etc.

The period considered is from June 2007 to June 2008.

African Banker of the Year

This award goes to an influential and inspirational manager in the African banking sector who has delivered substantial results in the current financial climate in Africa.

• Demonstrated visible growth in terms of revenue, profits, capital and assets
• Contributed to changed perceptions of Africa in global financial markets
• Brought world-class practices to his institution
• Developed and entered into new markets
• Provided excellent personal leadership and inspiration

African Bank of the Year

This award goes to the bank in Africa which has demonstrated a high level of performance across a wide range of fields and has had the biggest effect on customers, shareholders and society.

• Demonstrated distinguished growth in terms of revenue, profits, equity capital and assets
• Increased market penetration – growth in terms of clients and regions/countries they operate in [branches, ATMs, innovative kiosks etc]
• Contributed to changed perceptions of Africa in global financial markets
• Brought world-class practices to the banking industry in that country / region
• Diversified the areas of activity the bank operates in
• Engaged in major transactions and deals (provide examples)

Investment Bank of the Year

This award goes to the most innovative and best achieving Investment bank operating in Africa and which has changed the landscape of investment banking and finance.

• Track record in terms of revenue, profits and growth
• Examples of the deals and transactions the bank has executed
• Example of innovative practices and projects
• Diversified the areas of activity the bank operates in

Microfinance Bank of the Year

This award goes to the microfinance lender who has contributed most to reduce poverty in Africa.

• Description of the microfinance model and why the model is successful and innovative
• Financial information – i.e. number of loans, size of loan book, bad debt ratios
• Example(s) of projects financed and the impact the loans have had on the communities

Best Development Bank in Africa

This award goes to the best performing bank in Africa in terms of development support and sustainability.

• Financial stability and agency ratings
• Innovative ways the bank has gone about achieving MDGs
• Examples of successful projects which have had a positive impact on the community

Best Issuing house

This award goes to the Issuing House which has executed the most volume and/or innovative issues in Africa.

• Examples of the deals and transactions the bank has been involved in
• Examples of how the issuing house has excelled in meeting the requirement of its clients

Most Innovative Bank

This award goes to the African bank which has brought most innovative practices to the industry and/or its own market.

• Visible results in the field of technology
• Reaching out to new markets
• Facilitating [and reducing the cost of] transactions
• Making banking easier for its clients
• Putting together a new business model to increase penetration

Deal of the Year

This award goes to the biggest and/or most innovative deal of the year in Africa.

• The jury will consider:
• The complexity of the deal
• The size of the deal
• The appeal of the deal
• The impact the deal has had (in terms of local community and the ability of changing the perception of Africa as a place to transact and do business)
• Innovation in terms of completing the deal (new products, new model)
• The overall success of the deal

Socially Responsible Bank of the year

This award goes to the African bank which has shown through company policies and projects the greatest socially responsible practices.

• The jury will be seeking concrete examples of projects or initiatives within the institution which has:
• delivered social and economic benefits to local communities and employees
• influenced policy approaches by government and other businesses

Best Global Bank in Africa

This award goes to the International bank which has most positively influenced the African continent. The jury will be looking for a bank which has contributed significantly to business growth and development in the financial industry.

• Changed the perception of doing business in Africa
• Brought world-class practices to Africa
• Bank’s activities in Africa, and how much this is in proportion to the rest of the world
• Examples of how the bank’s operation in Africa differs in comparison to other global banks

Award for Gender Sensitivity

This award goes to the African bank which has shown the most skill and success in tackling and improving gender inequality and related issues in the workplace: measurable and accountable leadership from the board in terms of mobilising company-wide policy to develop and progress the role of women in the bank.

• Companywide policy for greater gender equality
• Mobility of women in terms of position in the bank

Private Equity /Investment Fund of the Year

This award goes to the investment fund or private equity fund which has shown outstanding performance in terms of:

• returns
• reach – countries and industries
• volume

Mortgage Bank of the Year

This award goes to the mortgage bank which has done the most to provide mortgage support and affordable housing loans for more customers.

• Growth in terms of customers, loan book size
• Positive financial information in terms of profits and portfolio at risk
• Innovative practices in taking the mortgage market to the masses

The following awards will be chosen by the independent advisory committee. There is no need for submissions for any of the below.

Lifetime Achievement Award

This award goes to African banker who throughout his/her career has done the most to

strengthen and promote banking in Africa.

African Banking Regulator

This award goes to the African regulatory body which has done the most to encourage reform, transparency, growth and stability within its market.

Finance Minister of the Year

This award goes to the African minister of finance who has improved the finances and the economy of their country.

Central Bank Governor of the Year

This award goes to the Central Bank governor who has best reformed, stabilised and grown their markets.