London, United Kingdom, 2026
African Leadership Magazine (ALM) has released its Top 40 African Finance Leaders for 2026, spotlighting individuals driving financial transformation at a defining moment for the continent.
From stabilising currencies and reforming fiscal systems to expanding banking access and unlocking capital for infrastructure, this year’s honourees are shaping the systems that power Africa’s economies.
READ ALSO: Top 40 African Finance Leaders 2026” to Be Unveiled at Washington, D.C. Forum
“This is not just a list. It is a statement on where Africa is headed,” said Dr Ken Giami, Executive Chairman of African Leadership Magazine. “These leaders are not waiting for change. They are engineering it.”
The 2026 honourees will be celebrated at the African Finance Leaders Forum and Awards 2026, scheduled for April 14, 2026, at the US Senate Building.
Held under the theme “40 Leaders. One Vision. Africa Rising.” the event will convene top policymakers, investors, and financial leaders to shape the next phase of Africa’s economic growth.
Who Made the List
The 2026 cohort brings together a strong mix of banking executives, finance ministers, central bank governors, development financiers, and investment leaders.
Key names include:
A. Commercial Banking & Financial Services Leaders
For driving banking expansion, digital transformation, and cross-border integration:
- 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)
13. Ibrahima Diouf – Chairman, Board of Directors, Oragroup
14. Dr Desalegn Ambaw – Chief Executive Officer, Ethiopian Deposit Insurance Fund (EDIF), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
15. Henri-Claude Oyima – Group Chief Executive Officer, BGFIBank Group (Gabon)
16. Suleiman Alazzabi – Chief Executive Officer, Jumhouria Bank (Libya)
B. Development Finance & Multilateral Institutions
For mobilising capital for infrastructure, trade, and economic resilience:
17. Dr George Elombi – President, Afreximbank
18. Dr Sidi Ould Tah – President, African Development Bank Group
19. Samaila Zubairu – President and Chief Executive Officer, Africa Finance Corporation
20. Serge Ekué – President, West African Development Bank (BOAD)
C. Public Finance & Economic Policy Leaders
For shaping fiscal direction, debt management, and macroeconomic reform:
21. Enoch Godongwana – Minister of Finance (South Africa)
22. Situmbeko Musokotwane – Minister of Finance and National Planning (Zambia)
23. Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura – Minister of Finance (Sierra Leone)
24. Carla Alexandra Loveira, Minister of Finance, (Mozambique)
25. Dr Zacch Adedeji – Executive Chairman, National Revenue Service, Nigeria
26. Gareth Guadalupe – Minister of State for Economy and Finance , Sao Tome and Principle
27. Bihi Iman Egeh – Minister of Finance, Somalia
28. Olavo Correia – Minister of Finance and Business Development, Cape Verde
29. Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh – Minister of Economy and Finance, Djibouti
30. Ahmed Kouchouk – Minister of Finance, Egypt
D. Central Banking & Monetary Policy Authorities
For anchoring financial stability, inflation control, and currency management:
31. Henry F. Saamoi – Governor, Central Bank of Liberia
32. Johnson Asiama – Governor, Bank of Ghana
33. Dr Priscilla Muthoora Thakoor – Governor, Bank of Mauritius
34. Abdellatif Jouahri – Governor, Bank Al-Maghrib (Morocco)
35. Johnny Ohisa Damian – Governor, Bank of South Sudan (BoSS)
36. Lesego Caster Moseki – Governor, Bank of Botswanae.
E. Regional & Institutional Finance Leadership
Strengthening financial systems and regional coordination:
37. Boima S. Kamara – Director General, West African Monetary Agency (WAMA)
F. Investment, Capital Markets & Advisory Leaders
For driving private capital flows and investment strategy:
38. Dr Armstrong Ume Takang – Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), Nigeria
39. Naguib Sawiris – Chairman, Orascom Investment Holding (Egypt)
40. Mr Youssouf Fadiga – Directeur Général/Chief Executive Officer, Banque Nationale d’Investissement (BNI), Côte d’Ivoire
How the Leaders Were Selected
The ranking is based on five key pillars:
Institutional influence and scale
Policy and economic impact
Innovation and financial inclusion
Continental and global relevance
Sustained leadership performance from 2024 to 2026
Selections were rigorously reviewed to ensure true continental balance.
What the 2026 List Reveals
Banking continues to lead, while development finance is rising rapidly
West Africa dominates in volume, while Southern Africa leads in scale
Development institutions are emerging as central players
Policy and central bank leaders are more influential than ever
Africa’s future will be shaped by how effectively it finances its ambitions.
“This is a moment of responsibility,” Dr Giami added. “Africa needs bold financial leadership, and these are the people stepping forward.”
The honorees shall be hosted to a special reception ceremony in London United Kingdom on the 28th April 2026.
About African Leadership Magazine
African Leadership Magazine is a leading pan-African platform that promotes excellence in leadership, policy, and business across the continent.
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