Herbert Wigwe is African Banker of the Year for the second time,consecutively

The Group Managing Director/CEO of Access Bank PLC Herbert Wigwe has beenrecognised as the African Banker of the Year at the 2021 edition of the AfricanBanker Awards. A winner of one of the most prized categories at the Awards ceremony for thesecond consecutive year, Wigwe was recognised for his stellar leadership in themarket expansion of Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest bank despite the negative impactof the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the last 12 months, Access Bank has established apresence in South Africa following its acquisition of Grobank. Accepting the award, Wigwe said Access Bank is focused on promoting corporatediscipline, adding that the Bank wants to be in key markets on the continent, buildinga payment gateway and providing trade finance support.“We want to be seen as the best bank supporting the African Continental Free TradeArea agreement (AfCFTA). In terms of diaspora remittances, we are present in keyareas in the continent,” he said.The African Banker Awards have become the most respected and recognisedindustry event celebrating African banking achievements. The organisers this year,put emphasis on recognising and rewarding institutions that contributed to the realeconomy which has suffered from the impact of Covid-19 as well as contributed towomen empowerment on the continent.Commenting on the award, Group Publisher of African Banker and Chair of theAwards Committee, Omar Ben Yedder said, “Herbert is one of the most respectedbankers on the continent, without a shadow of a doubt. The Bank has gone from alower ranked Nigerian bank when he joined the group as Deputy CEO to becomeone of Africa’s leading financial services groups. He has shown a relentless pursuitfor growth, but has done so in a measured and calculated manner. What he and histeam have done at Access Bank is nothing short of remarkable.”The Awards ceremony held virtually during the Annual meetings of the AfricanDevelopment Bank.