The Cooperative Bank of Kenya has been shortlisted for the Bank of the Year award as African Banker magazine announced the nominees for its 2025 edition.
The lender has been shortlisted in the SME Bank of the Year category alongside CRDB Bank Plc, Ecobank, Standard Bank, and Uganda Development Bank.
The 2025 Bank of the Year award recognizes lenders who have made significant advancements in innovation, transformation, inclusivity, and gender equality.
Some 58 nominees have been selected across nine categories from over 200 entries submitted by banks spanning the African continent
The winners will be announced at a gala ceremony scheduled for May 28th in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
Commenting on the event, Omar Ben Yedder, chair of the awards committee, pointed out the growing focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), sustainable banking practices, and the evolving role of fintech companies within the financial ecosystem.
“Banks have performed strongly last year despite headwinds and currency devaluations in major countries. Interestingly, SMEs proved to be a profitable asset class and one that banks are paying greater attention to. The advent of AI and other technological advancements are at the centre of bank strategies too. The continent needs even bigger banks to support our growth agenda,” Yedder commented.
Co-op Bank has been at the forefront of supporting SME growth, with tailored financial solutions that offer flexible loan terms and competitive pricing.
The lender recently acquired Sh18 billion from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to advance its lending to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
Since its inception in 2007, The African Banker Awards has aimed to recognise and celebrate the exceptional individuals and organisations driving the rapid transformation of Africa’s financial services sector.
