Celebrating Excellence, Innovation & Leadership in African Banking and Fintech

The Africa Bank 4.0 Awards, part of the BII Africa Bank 4.0 Summit, recognizes and celebrates outstanding achievements that are driving digital transformation, innovation, and financial inclusion across the African banking and fintech ecosystem.

Taking place on 26 February 2026, the awards honor the institutions and leaders shaping the future of financial services across the continent leveraging technology, data, and innovation to build smarter, more inclusive economies.

About the Awards

The Africa Bank 4.0 Awards aim to spotlight organizations and individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and impact in areas such as innovation, digital transformation, customer experience, financial inclusion, and sustainability.

Each year, the awards bring together Africa’s most forward-thinking banking executives, fintech innovators, and technology partners to celebrate those redefining the financial landscape.

Award winners are selected through a transparent process combining industry nominations, expert evaluation, and insights from our Technical Advisory Committee.

Why Participate

  • Gain Pan-African recognition for innovation and leadership
  • Enhance your brand visibility among top-tier financial decision-makers
  • Celebrate your team’s contribution to Africa’s digital financial transformation
  • Build credibility and inspire industry-wide collaboration

 

Key Dates

Nomination Phase Announcement Phase Ceremony
Till 31st January 2026 From 10th February to 15th February 2026 26th Feb 2026
All candidates need to fill in the form and submit their nominations during this time. The award jury selects the top vote in each category and the team informs the winners. All winners are recognized at an in-person awards ceremony in Lagos, Nigeria.
SUBMIT YOUR AWARD NOMINATION NOW!

 

AWARD CATEGORIES:

LEADERSHIP AWARDS

  • Banking CEO of the Year
  • Banking COO of the Year
  • Banking CTO of the Year
  • Banking CDO of the Year
  • Fintech Entrepreneur of the Year
  • Banking Technology Provider Leader of the Year

 

BANKING AND FINANCIAL AWARDS

BEST BANK OF THE YEAR
  • Best Neobank of the Year
  • Best Microfinance Bank
  • Best Bank for Small & Medium Businesses
  • Best Bank for Customer Services
  • Best Bank for Inclusive Banking
  • Best Central Bank of the Year
  • Best Bank for COVID-19 Response
  • Best Fintech Partnership Bank
  • Best Use of Cloud Technology
  • Best Use of Biometrics
  • Best Use of Data
Best Use of Artificial Intelligence
  • Best Use of Fraud Protection
  • Best Self-Service Banking Implementation
Best Lending Implementation
  • Best CRM Implementation
  • Best Branchless Banking Implementation
  • Best Open Banking Implementation
Most Innovative User Experience in Digital Banking
  • Most Innovative Digital Bank (North Africa)
  • Most Innovative Digital Bank (East Africa)
  • Most Innovative Digital Bank (West Africa)
  • Most Innovative Digital Bank (SADC Region)

 

STARTUP AWARDS

Best Fintech of the Year
  • Best Fintech for COVID-19 Response
  • Most Innovative Fintech Startup of the Year (North Africa)
  • Most Innovative Fintech Startup of the Year (East Africa)
  • Most Innovative Fintech Startup of the Year (West Africa)
  • Most Innovative Fintech Startup of the Year (SADC Region).
  • Best AI Platform
  • Best Data Analytics Platform
  • Best Blockchain Platform
  • Best Lending Platform
  • Best Remittance Platform
  • Best Digital Wallet
  • Best P2P Crowdfunding Platform
  • Best BNPL Platform

 

TECHNOLOGY AND SOLUTION PROVIDER

Best Banking Technology Vendor of the Year

 

  • Best Core Banking Product of the Year
  • Best Open Banking Solution Provider of the Year
  • Best Banking Technology Solution Provider for COVID-19 Response
  • Best Digital Banking Solution Provider of the Year
  • Best Artificial Intelligence Solution Provider of the Year
  • Best Blockchain Technology
  • Best Cross-Border Payment
Most Innovative Mobile Payment Product of the Year
  • Most Innovative Delivery Channel Technology of the Year
  • Most Innovative Transaction Banking Technology of the Year
  • Most Innovative Data Management Provider of the Year
  • Most Innovative Information Security Technology of the Year
  • Most Innovative Customer Service Technology of the Year
  • Most Innovative Digital Banking Technology Provider of the Year

 

SUBMIT YOUR AWARD NOMINATION NOW!