The African Banker magazine named Esther Kariuki, head of agriculture business at the Co-operative Bank of Kenya, the African Banker of the Year award for 2023.
According to the African Banker, Esther has been a central figure in advancing agriculture as a key asset class for the Co-operative Bank of Kenya.
Not only a leader and role model, she was also responsible for considerably increasing lending to the agriculture sector and oversaw the roll-out of the platform Co-op Bank Soko, a digital marketplace that connects the agriculture value chain and ensures, among other things, that smallholder farmers receive a higher price for their produce.
🏆 Join us in congratulating Esther Kariuki, at @Coopbankenya on winning the prestigious African Banker of the Year Award at last night’s #AfricanBankerAwards 2023! You can see the full list of winners at https://t.co/SYTfVlGZYa pic.twitter.com/7VKBbPb668
— African Banker magazine (@BankerMagazine) May 25, 2023
Now in its 17th edition, the African Banker Awards celebrate the achievements of individuals and institutions that have contributed significantly to the growth and development of Africa’s banking sector over the past year.
“This year’s award ceremony is a testament not only to the vibrancy and dynamism of Africa’s banking industry but also its increasing diversity,” Ben Yedder, said Omar Ben Yedder, Committee Chairman and Group Publisher at IC Publications.
“The financial services industry continues to demonstrate excellence, innovation and impact in their respective markets and regions. FinTech, Climate Finance, and Cross-Border payments are all being shaped by the leaders we are recognising today.”
Full list of African Banker Awards 2023 winners
Banker of the Year
Ms Esther Kariuki, Co-operative Bank of Kenya
Bank of the Year
Afreximbank
African Banker Icon
Miguel Azevedo, Citi
Lifetime Achievement
Mr. Hisham Ezz Al-Arab, Commercial International Bank
Central Bank Governor of the Year
Harvesh Seegolam, Bank of Mauritius
Minister of Finance of the Year
Hon. Enoch Godongwana, South Africa
Sustainable Bank of the Year
Nedbank, South Africa
DFI of the Year
Afreximbank
Fintech of the Year
MFS Africa
SME Bank of the Year
La Caisse des DĂ©pĂ´ts et Consignations – CDC
Deal of the Year – Debt
Harmony Gold Company syndicated multi-tranche, multi-currency, loan facility of US$400m and R4bn – Absa&Nedbank
Deal of the Year – Equity
US$298m Infinity Energy equity investment and Lekela Power acquisition – Africa Finance Corporation
Deal of the Year – Agriculture
US$78m funding facility for the Southern Oil Structured Commodity Finance Transaction – Absa
Deal of the Year – Infrastructure
US$900m debt funding facility for Scatec Solar PV plus Battery Storage Project – Standard Bank
Regional Bank of the Year – North
Bank of Africa
Regional Bank of the Year – Southern
Zambia National Commercial Bank (Zanaco)
Regional Bank of the Year – East
CRDB Bank
Regional Bank of the Year – Central
Trust Merchant Bank
Regional Bank of the Year – West
Vista Bank
AFAWA Bank of the Year Award
Letshego, Nigeria
