Now in its 14th year running, the African Banker Awards is designed to recognise the reforms, rapid modernisation, consolidation, integration and expansion of Africa’s banking and financial services industry.

It serves as the premier platform to highlight the achievements of companies and individuals that contribute to the transformation and development of Africa’s financial sector, especially at a time when innovation, inclusion and sustainability are essential to any organisation's success.

This year the committee wanted to put an emphasis on the AfDB’s High 5s. The committee will pay greater attention to criteria such as financial inclusion, access to credit and to institutions that are leading the way in terms of women empowerment through lending to women-led businesses and also by the number of women in positions of seniority within their institutions.

The highly anticipated awards is sponsored by the African Guarantee Fund, the Bank of Industry, OLAM as well as the African Development Bank, the award Patrons,  and will take place in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire on 26th May during the African Development Bank Annual Meetings.