London, United Kingdom — On 3 July 2026, some of Africa’s most influential financial leaders will gather at the House of Lords, London, as the ALM Top 40 African Finance Leaders 2026 are formally honoured during the 16th African Business Leadership Awards (ABLA) 2026, organised by African Leadership Magazine.
The recognition ceremony, held as part of the wider Africa Summit London / ABLA 2026 engagements, will celebrate an exceptional group of central bank governors, finance ministers, banking executives, investment leaders, regulators, development financiers, and economic reformers whose leadership continues to shape Africa’s financial future.
The ALM Top 40 African Finance Leaders 2026 goes beyond recognition. It serves as a continental benchmark of excellence, spotlighting leaders driving financial innovation, institutional reform, sustainable investment, and resilient economic governance across Africa.
READ ALSO: Top 40 African Finance Leaders 2026 Showcase
From central banks and treasury institutions to commercial banking and capital markets, these distinguished figures are helping redefine Africa’s financial landscape — steering economies through uncertainty, expanding access to capital, attracting investment, and creating pathways for sustainable prosperity.
Now in its 16th edition, the African Business Leadership Awards (ABLA) has earned a strong reputation as one of Africa’s leading platforms for recognising excellence in leadership, governance, innovation, and transformational impact across both public and private sectors. The 2026 edition is expected to attract senior policymakers, global investors, diplomats, corporate executives, development institutions, and influential thought leaders from across Africa and beyond.
Set against the historic backdrop of the House of Lords, the honourees will be recognised not only for financial performance but also for their contributions to institutional strengthening, economic inclusion, investment promotion, fiscal reform, and sustainable development.
As Africa enters a defining era shaped by economic transition, technological advancement, and deeper intra-African trade, the recognition of these finance leaders sends a strong message: the continent’s economic future is being shaped by visionary, resilient, and globally minded leadership.
Held under the theme, “From Vision to Velocity: Driving Africa’s Next Wave of Growth & Leadership,” the Africa Summit London / ABLA 2026 will bring together influential stakeholders to strengthen partnerships, unlock investment opportunities, and help shape Africa’s next phase of growth.
The Leading African finance leaders 2026 include:
- Sim Tshabalala – Group Chief Executive Officer, Standard Bank Group (South Africa)
- Tony Elumelu – Chairman, Heirs Holdings (Nigeria)
- Jeremy Awori – Group Chief Executive Officer, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (Pan-African)
- Mary Vilakazi – Chief Executive Officer, FirstRand Limited (South Africa)
- Daniel Mminele – Chief Executive Officer, Absa Group (South Africa)
- Olusegun Alebiosu – Chief Executive Officer, FirstBank of Nigeria (Nigeria)
- Othman Benjelloun – Chief Executive Officer, Bank of Africa (Morocco)
- Dr Aklilu Wubet – President/Chief Executive Officer, Wegagen Bank (Ethiopia)
- John Gachora – Chief Executive Officer, NCBA Group (Kenya)
- Paul Russo – Group Chief Executive Officer, KCB Group PLC
- Mr Sonny Zulu – Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Standard Bank Zambia
- Dr Abdulmajid Nsekela – Chief Executive Officer, CRDB Bank (Tanzania)
- Ibrahima Diouf – Chairman, Board of Directors, Oragroup
- Dr Desalegn Ambaw – Chief Executive Officer, Ethiopian Deposit Insurance Fund (EDIF), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Henri-Claude Oyima – Group Chief Executive Officer, BGFIBank Group (Gabon)
- Suleiman Alazzabi – Chief Executive Officer, Jumhouria Bank (Libya)
- Dr George Elombi – President, Afreximbank
- Dr Sidi Ould Tah – President, African Development Bank Group
- Samaila Zubairu – President and Chief Executive Officer, Africa Finance Corporation
- Serge Ekué – President, West African Development Bank (BOAD)
- Enoch Godongwana – Minister of Finance (South Africa)
- Situmbeko Musokotwane – Minister of Finance and National Planning (Zambia)
- Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura – Minister of Finance (Sierra Leone)
- Carla Alexandra Loveira – Minister of Finance (Mozambique)
- Dr Zacch Adedeji – Executive Chairman, National Revenue Service, Nigeria
- Gareth Guadalupe – Minister of State for Economy and Finance, Sao Tome and Principe
- Bihi Iman Egeh – Minister of Finance, Somalia
- Olavo Correia – Minister of Finance and Business Development, Cape Verde
- Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh – Minister of Economy and Finance, Djibouti
- Ahmed Kouchouk – Minister of Finance, Egypt
- Henry F. Saamoi – Governor, Central Bank of Liberia
- Johnson Asiama – Governor, Bank of Ghana
- Dr Priscilla Muthoora Thakoor – Governor, Bank of Mauritius
- Abdellatif Jouahri – Governor, Bank Al-Maghrib (Morocco)
- Johnny Ohisa Damian – Governor, Bank of South Sudan (BoSS)
- Lesego Caster Moseki – Governor, Bank of Botswana
- Boima S. Kamara – Director General, West African Monetary Agency (WAMA)
- Dr Armstrong Ume Takang – Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), Nigeria
- Naguib Sawiris – Chairman, Orascom Investment Holding (Egypt)
- Mr Youssouf Fadiga – Directeur Général/Chief Executive Officer, Banque Nationale d’Investissement (BNI), Côte d’Ivoire
On 3 July 2026, London will host a defining celebration of African financial leadership — honouring the men and women helping shape the continent’s economic future.
