The shortlisted companies and individuals for the 2nd African Banker Awards 2008 was announced yesterday. This year, Nigerian and South African banks will be represented in the ceremony.

Interestingly, a rising number of banks from other countries, including Morocco, Egypt, Cameroun, Kenya, Mali, Mozambique and Mauritius, among others, were also shortlisted to recieve awards.

The unique ceremony, organised in partnership with BusinessinAfrica Events, will recognize and reward 17 award categories, across individuals, companies and institutions that have excelled in Africa’s banking and financial sector over the last year. The awards are designed to recognise the reforms, rapid modernization, consolidation, integration and expansion of the African Banking sector.

For the well-sought after award for the African Banker of the Year, the following persons were nominated:

1. Mahmoud Abdel Latif (Chairman / CEO, Bank of Alexandria)
2. Erastus Akingbola (CEO, Intercontinental Bank)
3. Mamadou Igor Diarra (CEO, Banque Internationale pour le Mali)
4. Arnold Ekpe (CEO, Ecobank)
5. Tony Elumelu (CEO, United Bank for Africa, UBA)
6. Paul Fokam (President & Board Chairman, Afriland First Bank)
7. Aigboje Aig Imoukhuede (CEO, Access Bank)

The other sought after award is the African Bank of the Year and the nominees include:

1. Attijariwafa Bank (Morocco)
2. Banco Internacional de Moçambique (BIM) (Mozambique)
3. Intercontinental Bank (Nigeria)
4. National Bank of Commerce (NBC) (Tanzania)
5. Oceanic Bank (Nigeria)
6. Standard Bank (South Africa)
7. Zenith Bank (Nigeria)

A full list of the nominees and more information on the criteria and the panel of judges can be found on www.africanbankerawards.com

The winners will be announced at the Gala Dinner on October 10, 2008 at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel, Washington DC. The sponsors of this prestigious Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner include the African Development Bank, Renaissance Group, Bank of Industry, Ecobank, 3i InfoTech and Virgin Nigeria.