Bank Of Africa Named Best Bank in North Africa at African Banker Awards 2026

Fez – Moroccan banking group Bank Of Africa (BOA) has been named Best Bank in North Africa during the 2026 edition of the African Banker Awards held in Brazzaville on the sidelines of the Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank.

The distinction shows BOA’s growing regional presence at a time when African financial institutions are competing to expand across the continent and strengthen their role in financing development and financial inclusion.

The award places the Moroccan group among the leading banking institutions operating in Africa. 

The African Banker Awards recognize banks and financial institutions that have contributed to the development of the continent’s financial sector through investment, innovation, expansion strategies, and support for inclusion.

BOA received the North Africa award as part of the regional categories of the ceremony, which honors financial institutions from different parts of the continent each year. 

Zambia’s Zanaco won the Southern Africa category, while CRDB Bank was recognized in East Africa. 

Trust Merchant Bank received the Central Africa award and Ghana Commercial Bank was named best bank in West Africa.

The recognition comes as African banking groups continue to expand their activities across regional markets and increase their role in supporting economic growth and access to financial services.

During the ceremony, Ecobank was named African Bank of the Year. 

The Togolese banking group, which operates in 35 countries, was recognized for its continental reach and influence within the African banking sector.

Several individual figures from the financial sector were also honored during the event. Zambia’s Minister of Finance and National Planning, Situmbeko Musokotwane, received the Finance Minister of the Year award, while Andre Wameso, Governor of the Central Bank of Congo, was named Central Bank Governor of the Year.

The Banker of the Year award went to Serge Ekué, President of the West African Development Bank. 

Paulo Gomes, President of Orango Investment Corporation, received the African Banker Icon award, while Henri-Claude Oyima, Chairman of BGFIBank Group, was honored with the Lifetime Achievement award.

Afreximbank was named Development Finance Institution of the Year, while Rawbank of the Democratic Republic of Congo received the AFAWA award dedicated to women’s financial inclusion.

Other awards recognized specialized institutions across the African financial industry. 

Nigeria’s Bank of Industry was awarded Sustainable Bank of the Year, while the Co-operative Bank of Kenya won the SME category. 

Ziidi Trader was named Fintech of the Year.

In the Deals of the Year categories, NBet Finance Company PLC and Cardinal Stone Partners won the Debt Deal award. 

Red Rocket Holdco, Absa, and Rand Merchant Bank received the Infrastructure Deal award, while Arise IIP Exit/Equity Raise and Africa Finance Corporation were recognized in the Equity category.

The African Banker Awards are organized by African Banker magazine and IC Events in partnership with Business in Africa Events. 

The ceremony recognizes institutions and personalities that have contributed to the financial development of the continent.

The Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank continue in Brazzaville until May 29 under the theme of mobilizing resources for Africa’s development.