The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, has won the African Banker of the Year award at the 2024 African Banker Awards.
The award was presented at the African Development Bank (AfDB) Annual Meetings in Nairobi, Kenya, where the continent’s top financial movers and shakers gathered to reward excellence in the banking sector.
Cardoso was praised for his bold reforms in the Central Bank, especially in foreign exchange policy, monetary tightening, and efforts to revive investor confidence in Nigeria’s financial system. Judges said his leadership has brought “a new sense of direction and professionalism” to the CBN.
Since assuming the presidency in 2023, Cardoso has launched several key policies to stabilize the naira, reduce inflation, and strengthen Nigeria’s banking system. His policies have been both locally and internationally acclaimed.
While delivering a speech upon receiving the award, Cardoso said, “This award is not for me. It’s for Nigeria. It’s a testament to the effort being made to bring trust and stability back to our financial system.”
Other winners at the ceremony were Access Bank, which won the Sustainable Bank of the Year award, and the Finance Minister of Cape Verde, who was named Finance Minister of the Year.
The African Banker Awards, organised by African Banker magazine, reward excellence in banking and finance in Africa. The awards this year were themed around innovation, leadership, and economic resilience in the face of challenging global circumstances.
Cardoso’s win is an auspicious moment for Nigeria’s economic team, emphasizing the world’s reawakened appreciation of the country’s financial reforms.
