Bank of Industry (BOI) has won the Sustainable Bank of the Year award at the 2026 edition of the prestigious African Banker Awards held in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo.
The award ceremony took place on the sidelines of the Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank and recognised financial institutions driving innovation, transformation and sustainable development across Africa.
BOI emerged winner in a competitive category that included major African financial institutions such as Access Holdings, Commercial International Bank, Co-operative Bank of Kenya, Nedbank, and Rawbank of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The recognition highlights BOI’s growing influence in sustainable finance and development banking across the continent.
According to the organisers, the award reflects the bank’s strategic focus on sustainability and responsible banking through the implementation of its Sustainability Financing Framework.
BOI recently secured an independent Second Party Opinion from S&P Global Ratings, which validated the credibility of its sustainability framework and confirmed its alignment with international standards and market expectations.
The Nigerian lender was also shortlisted for the Development Finance Institution of the Year Award.
Speaking on the achievement, BOI Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Olasupo Olusi, described the award as recognition of the institution’s commitment to sustainable development and economic transformation.
“This award is a strong endorsement of the Bank of Industry’s commitment to financing sustainable and impactful development across Nigeria and Africa,” Olusi said.
He noted that the bank remains focused on balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability and social inclusion through strategic investments and financing initiatives.
According to him, BOI’s Sustainability Financing Framework is helping to align the institution’s operations with global best practices while supporting industries and businesses capable of creating long-term value.
Olusi added that the bank would continue mobilising capital to support industrialisation, job creation, climate resilience, MSME growth and inclusive economic development across Africa.
The African Banker Awards, regarded as one of the continent’s leading banking honours, celebrated 18 winners during the 20th anniversary edition of the event.
The ceremony was attended by senior government officials, financial executives and African development leaders, including the President of the African Development Bank, Sidi Ould Tah.
The event also featured a performance by Congolese music icon Koffi Olomide.
