This year’s event, hosted by the London-based IC Publications, publishers of African Banker magazine, was held on the eve of World Bank’s critical global discussions on the state of the world’s financial systems. “For once we can say the world can learn from Africa,” said Chukwuma Saludo, the Governor of the Nigerian Central Bank. Thanks to root and branch reforms and tight regulatory regimes, Africa’s banking sector has grown by over 28% over the past year and continues to grow despite the global financial crisis.

Over 350 people, including Africa’s finance ministers, governors of central banks, financial market regulators, global media personalities, industry leaders and top bankers attended the glittering ceremony.

17 awards were presented at the grand ceremony, which was endorsed by the World Bank, supported by the Corporate Council on Africa and African Development Bank. Sponsors included the Renaissance Group, 3i Infotech, Ecobank, Virgin Nigeria Airways and the Bank of Industry, Nigeria.

Afif Ben Yedder, Group Chairman of IC Publications told the audience: “There are great investment opportunities in many sectors in Africa today as the growth of the continent’s economy is the fastest in the world”.

Otunba Dr Michael Balogun, winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award recounted that when he  wanted to set up his own merchant bank in Nigeria, he was not allowed to do so unless he had a technical partner from the West; “It is quite staggering to think how far we have come from those dark days,” he said.

Associate publisher Omar Ben Yedder remarked: “Today it is the Banks which are realising the Pan African vision of regional integration. The Africa of today is building world class institutions managed by great African business leaders.”

Christian Udechukwu, Managing Director, BusinessinAfrica Events announced that the 3rd African Banker Awards will be held in Istanbul, Turkey to coincide with the IMF/World Bank Annual meeting next year.

African Bankers Awards Winners 2008

Best Microfinance Bank in Africa

Equity Bank, Kenya

Best Deal of the Year:

Standard Bank, South Africa

Best Issuing House in Africa

Stanbic IBTC, South Africa

Best Mortgage Bank in Africa

Banque de l’Habitat, Tunisia

Best Gender Sensitive Bank in Africa:

Nedbank, South Africa

Best Banking Regulator in Africa:

Clive Pillay, South Africa Ombudsman

Lifetime Achievement:

Otunba Dr Michael Balogun, First City Merchant Bank (FCMB) Nigeria

Best Development Bank in Africa:

Development Bank of Southern Africa

Best Investment Fund in Africa:

ECP Africa Fund

Most Innovative Bank in Africa:

Ecobank Transnational

Best Investment Bank in Africa:

Renaissance Capital

Best Corporate Social Responsibility in Africa:

Fidelity, Nigeria

Best Global Bank:

Zenith Bank, Nigeria

Central Bank Governor of the Year:

Paul Acquah, Ghana

Finance Minister of the Year:

Goodall Gondwei, Finance Minister, Malawi

African Banker of the Year:

Dr Tony Elumelu, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Nigeria

African Bank of the Year:

Intercontinental Bank Plc, Nigeria

Editor’s note:

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