The African Banker Magazine has named the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank Plc, Mr Herbert Wigwe, as the 2021 African Banker of the Year, for the second consecutive year.
Social commentators and analysts hinged this award on his sterling and remarkable efforts in expanding and consolidating the frontiers of his bank in the African continent, especially during the period under view. In addition to this, the bank also recorded an impressive return in its key financial metrics, despite being threatened by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Recall that during the year, Access Bank had earlier announced key strategic acquisition and mergers, such as the acquisition of Grobank, ABC Zimbabwe, Cavmont and others. These deals coupled with other strong fundamentals have made Access Bank one of the largest retail banks in the continent with a customer base of over 40 million.
Commending the bank CEO for his giant strides, the publisher of African Banker awards, Omar Ben Yedder said: ‘’ Wigwe is one of the most respected bankers on the continent, without a shadow of a doubt. The bank has gone from a lower ranked Nigerian bank when he joined the group as Deputy CEO to become one of Africa’s leading financial services groups. He has shown a relentless pursuit for growth, but has done so in a measured and calculated manner. What he and his team have done at Access Bank is nothing short of remarkable.’’
READ: Breaking! Access Bank finally acquires BancABC Mozambique; to create 7th Largest bank in Mozambique
On the other hand, commenting on this, Mr. Wigwe said: ‘’We want to be seen as the best bank supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement. In terms of the Diaspora remittances, we are present in key areas in the continent.’’
Some other notable winners in the virtual award ceremony include;
- FBN Quest-Deal of the Year (Equity)
- African Export-Import Bank (Debt deal of the year and Agriculture deal of the year)
- Ecobank (African SME Bank of the Year)
- Bank of Industry , Government Enterprise Empowerment Programme (Award for Innovation for financial services)
- Standard Bank Group (African Bank of the Year)
- ABSA-(Investment Bank of the Year)
- H.E Lesetja Kganyago (Central Bank Governor of the Year-South Africa).
- H.E Mohammed Benchaaboun (Finance Minister of the year-Morrocco)
