Egypt’s CIB named sustainable bank of year by 2021 African Banker Awards

25 / 06 / 2021

By Marwa Nassar - -

Egypt’s Commercial International Bank (CIB) was named as the sustainable bank of the year by the 2021 African Banker Awards.

Recognizing the 400 personalities and banks that are driving Africa’s rapidly transforming financial sector, the African Banker Awards bring together industry leaders from Africa and the world. They celebrate the achievements of those who are driving growth and development and creating new economic opportunities for citizens and communities all over the continent and inspire new generations of bankers who are shaping Africa’s future.

The African Banker Awards are a landmark annual event for African banking taking place during the annual meetings of the African Development Bank, which were held virtually between 23rd and 25th of June.

Organized by African Banker magazine and IC Events in cooperation with Businessin Africa Events, the African Banker Awards celebrate excellence and best practices in African banking.

The African Banker Awards categories highlight the achievements of companies and individuals that contribute to the transformation and development of Africa’s financial sector. They focus on areas important to the finance community and their stakeholders.

The African Banker Awards review its categories every year to ensure the Awards remain relevant and take into account the changing realities on the ground.

The award for African Banker of the Year went, for the second consecutive year, to Hebert Wigwe, Managing Director and co-founder of Access Bank Group, which has grown rapidly to become one of the largest retail banks in Africa over the last decade, with over 40 million customers.

Standard Bank Group, Africa’s biggest bank, was named the African Bank of the Year for its COVID-related and women empowerment programs.

The Africa Banker award for Infrastructure deal of the year went to Tanzania’s Standard Chartered – Standard Gauge Railway $1.46bn loan facility.

The award of Deal of the year – Equity went to Privatization of Afam Power Plc and Afam Three Fast Power Ltd (FBNQuest).

The award of Deal of the year – Debt went to the African Export-Import Bank, COVID-19 Support Facility, as well as MUFG Bank, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group.

Trust Merchant Bank of DRC won the award for financial inclusion and the African Banker Icon went to Charlie Robertson, Chief Economist of Renaissance Capital.

Morocco’s Minister Mohammed Benchaâboun won the title of Finance Minister of the year, while the award of Lifetime Achievement went to Felix Bikpo.

The Award for Innovation for Financial Services went to Nigeria’s Bank of Industry, Government Enterprise Empowerment Program.

The Energy deal of the year went to African Trade Insurance Agency (ATI) which offered financial support to Nkhotakota Solar Power Plant in Malawi / 7.5 MW Solar PV Power Plant in Burundi.

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) won the title of the Agriculture deal of the year for a $400-million revolving global credit facility agreement for the Export Trading Group (ETG).

Ecobank copped the African SME Bank of the Year, while the award of the Best Regional Bank in Africa went to five banks; Attijariwafa Bank of Morocco (North), Banque de Développement du Mali (West), Equity Bank of Kenya, BGFI of Gabon (Central), and Mozabanco of Mozambique (Southern).

ABSA was named the Investment Bank of the Year, while the Central Bank Governor of the Year was Lesetja Kganyago, Governor Reserve Bank of South Africa.