Absa Bank MD is CEO of the year - Banking sector

Absa Bank's Managing Director, Abena Osei-Poku has won recognition as the CEO of the Year in the banking sector at the just-ended CEO Summit 2023, held at the Kempinski Gold Coast hotel.

The summit brings together all the captains of industry, corporate leaders across the public and private sectors, including government officials, and other key stakeholders.

The summit also provides a platform for these leaders to interact, share ideas and listen to new research and emerging trends in their respective industries. The summit also recognises leaders who have impacted their sectors in unique ways in the year under review.

Abena was lauded for displaying great leadership, innovation and creativity in the transformation of Absa Bank, which celebrated its third year of transiting from the Barclays brand to Absa in Ghana, last February. The bank's unvarnished commitment to supporting real sector growth and projecting a digitally-enabled strategy is creating synergy with clients, customers and key stakeholders.

Recently the bank launched an unheralded campaign for SMEs in Ghana - providing loans at 10% per annum to women-owned businesses, youth entrepreneurs and businesses in the agriculture and fintech sectors in the country. What makes the proposition so unique is that it has come at a time when lending rates hover above 30% due to a challenging local economy, with inflation still above 40%.

Abena's leadership has also seen Absa step up its commitment to the communities through initiatives in education, financial inclusion and environmental conservation.

Commenting on the recognition, Abena said "I want to recognise the bank’s incredible clients, stakeholders, and colleagues for their unwavering support throughout the years. This award is for them. As a bank, our strategy remains unchanged - we will continue to find new and innovative ways to create value for our customers as they navigate the challenges of the external environment. Our role is to empower them and their businesses whilst deploying cutting-edge digital technology to create convenience."

Absa Bank is regarded as a systemically important bank in Ghana’s economy and has operated in Ghana for over a century. The bank’s brand purpose reflects a sense of empowering Africa’s tomorrow, together - one story at a time.