Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) emerged as the standout winners at the 2025 edition of the prestigious African Banker Awards, held during the Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank (AfDB) in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The gala event, which drew over 500 of the continent’s most influential figures in banking and finance, showcased the growing influence of DFIs in driving investment and unlocking capital for sustainable development across Africa.
According to the AfDB, this year’s awards underlined the strategic importance of institutions such as the Ugandan Development Bank, Trade and Development Bank (TDB), African Trade and Investment Development Insurance (ATIDI), African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), and Nigeria’s Bank of Industry. Their recognition reflected a broader shift in Africa’s financial ecosystem, where DFIs are now playing a central role in de-risking investments, supporting SMEs, and financing critical infrastructure projects amid global economic uncertainty.
The event also shone a spotlight on top-performing individuals whose leadership has significantly shaped Africa’s financial narrative. Nigeria’s Central Bank Governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, was named Central Bank Governor of the Year. His tenure, marked by bold reforms and decisive policy actions, was credited with stabilising Nigeria’s macroeconomic environment, restoring market confidence, and attracting renewed investor interest at a time of global volatility.
Morocco’s Minister of Finance, Nadia Fettah, clinched the Finance Minister of the Year award. Her stewardship of the Moroccan economy—characterised by robust macroeconomic discipline and a strategic push towards economic diversification—earned her accolades from peers and observers alike, positioning Morocco as a continental model of fiscal resilience and reform.
Pan-African commercial banking giant, Ecobank, walked away with the AFAWA Award, a recognition granted to institutions that promote gender-inclusive financing. The award, presented under the Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) initiative, acknowledged Ecobank’s significant contributions to supporting women-led businesses and expanding access to credit for female entrepreneurs.
Delivering a keynote address, the Secretary General of the AfDB, Prof. Vincent Nmehielle, lauded IC Publications and New African magazine for amplifying African voices on the global stage since the awards’ inception in 2007. He praised the platforms for consistently offering African perspectives on international economic and political affairs.
Chairman of the Awards Committee, Omar Ben Yedder, used the occasion to reiterate the indispensable role of Africa’s private sector in catalysing inclusive growth. He drew a powerful analogy from revolutionary leader Thomas Sankara, remarking, “Just as Sankara said those who feed you, rule you—today, we can say those who finance you, rule you. That’s why it’s crucial for Africa to strengthen its own financial institutions.” He emphasised that DFIs are rightly receiving acclaim for their catalytic impact on the continent’s economic transformation and their commitment to underfinanced sectors such as agriculture, renewable energy, and small businesses.
The African Banker of the Year award was one of the night’s most anticipated honours, presented to Patricia Ojangole, Managing Director of the Ugandan Development Bank. The award was handed over by Ivorian sprint star and Olympic silver medallist, Murielle Ahouré-Demps, who was the event’s special guest. In an emotional tribute, Ahouré-Demps saluted African women in leadership and said, “Champions are not made on the podium; they are forged in discipline, in quiet moments of perseverance. As African women, we carry a rich legacy of strength, wisdom, and purpose. I am proud to stand here and honour one of our own.”
This year’s ceremony was powered by the African Development Bank, with additional support from strategic sponsors such as the African Guarantee Fund, affirming the awards’ status as the leading platform for celebrating excellence and innovation in African banking and finance.
