Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, June 2, 2025 – The Association of African Development Finance Institutions (AADFI) proudly celebrated an exceptional achievement as its distinguished members were honored at the 2025 African Banker Awards, held on May 28, 2025, on the sidelines of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Annual Meetings. This year’s awards not only spotlight the excellence of individual institutions but also reaffirm AADFI’s pivotal role in shaping Africa’s development finance landscape.
Leading the accolades, Dr. Patricia Ojangole, Managing Director of Uganda Development Bank (UDB), was named African Banker of the Year. Her recognition comes just days after her election as Chairperson of AADFI during the 51st Ordinary General Assembly held on May 26, 2025. Dr. Ojangole’s visionary leadership at UDB and her commitment to strengthening development finance across the continent exemplify the values and mission of AADFI.
Three other AADFI member institutions also received top honors at the African Banker Awards: the Trade and Development Bank Group (TDB Group) was awarded the Bank of the Year, recognizing its high performance across various metrics and its exceptional impact in transforming the banking landscape; the African Trade & Investment Development Insurance (ATIDI) earned the title of DFI of the Year, highlighting its critical role in de-risking investments, supporting clients and projects that delivered high impact; and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) was recognized for the Deal of the Year – Debt, for structuring a landmark transaction that significantly advanced Africa’s access to capital markets.
Dr. Patricia Ojangole, MD, UDB Uganda
TDB Group Tanzania
ATIDI Kenya
Afreximbank
These achievements underscore the growing influence of AADFI as a continental platform for collaboration, capacity building, and policy advocacy among development finance institutions in Africa. Under Dr. Ojangole’s leadership, AADFI is expected to continue empowering its members through strategic partnerships, knowledge sharing, institutional strengthening, and sustainability, driving inclusive and impactful development across Africa. The 2025 African Banker Awards have not only celebrated excellence but have also highlighted the indispensable role of AADFI member DFIs in building a prosperous and resilient Africa.