From John Silas
The inaugural Africa Women in Banking and Finance Conference and Awards (AWBFA 2026) is rapidly building momentum ahead its May 8, 2026 schedule in Lagos, as organisers unveil what many industry observers see as a most ambitious continental recognition platforms dedicated to women shaping Africa’s financial ecosystem.
Organised under the theme, “Redefining Women’s Leadership in African Finance”, the conference is expected to convene over 200 high-value participants, including senior banking executives, policymakers, innovators, regulators, development finance professionals and institutional leaders from Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, Egypt, Zambia, Uganda and several other countries.
Beyond its scale, however, organisers insist the significance of AWBFA lies in its deliberate attempt to recognise both visible leaders and the quieter professionals who sustain banking institutions behind the scenes.
The Chief Executive Officer of Chlo Haven, Schola Andem, told newsmen that the initiative is a strategic continental platform designed not only to celebrate achievements but also amplify the voices and journeys of women driving transformation across Africa’s financial services ecosystem.
She explained that the awards were created to inspire the next generation while also strengthening conversations around leadership, inclusion and economic empowerment across the continent.
Similarly, the awards’ Managing Partner, Prince Dotun Akinwunmi, emphasised that the programme would bring together speakers, judges and nominees from diverse parts of the global financial community, including representatives of the World Bank, African Development Bank, and institutions across New York, London and Paris, the participants’ calibre reflecting its seriousness and continental ambition.
On her part, the Founder and President of Tunisian Women in Banking and Finance, Wassila Hamdi, explained that the platform was conceived to bridge gaps across African markets while strengthening collaboration among women professionals in different segments of the finance value chain.
Hamdi said the selection process followed strict international standards and benefited from the participation of a global judging panel chaired by the Joy Macknight, the former editor of The Banker, which is part of the Financial Times Group.
She further noted that judges drawn from Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States, South Africa and Tunisia, including seasoned professionals in the global financial landscape like the CEO of Debbie’s Dream Foundation and former CEO of 100 Women in Finance, Amanda Pullinger, contributed to ensuring transparency and credibility throughout the selection process.
More importantly, she stressed that preparation for the awards involved months of structured research and database development across over 50 African countries, enabling organisers to identify nominees across multiple professional tiers within the banking and finance ecosystem.
Further insight on the award structure came from the Chief Operating Officer of Chlo Haven, Chando Erege, who explained that the 2026 edition would spotlight women across diverse categories, including Women CEO/MD, Women on Banking Boards and Women in Central Banks, among others.
He added in view of the high profile of the nominees, the organisers have added several Woman Banker Editor’s Awards, including categories for Leadership Impact, Excellence in Financial Innovation, Rising Star in Banking and Finance, and the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Equally significant is the conference’s commitment to recognising professionals whose works often go unnoticed.
Organisers explained that the awards intentionally included categories like Branch Manager of the Year to ensure that recognition extends beyond headline executives to operational leaders responsible for sustaining institutional performance at the grassroots.
One of the nominees, Dr. Tosin Onanuga of Unity Bank, who currently serves as branch manager with over two decades of banking experience, described the nomination process as both reflective and empowering.
She explained that managing a banking branch involves overseeing people, managing resources and driving profitability while aligning with institutional strategy. She added that the recognition process helped highlight the contributions of professionals who are rarely celebrated publicly, noting that visibility remains essential for women professionals across the industry
