Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire — Dr Patricia Ojangole, Managing Director of Uganda Development Bank (UDB), has been crowned Banker of the Year at the 19th African Banker Awards, held during the African Development Bank’s Annual Meetings in Abidjan.
The prestigious ceremony, hosted at the Sofitel Hotel on Wednesday night, celebrated trailblazers in Africa’s banking and finance industry. Dr. Ojangole was recognised for her exceptional leadership, transformative vision, and the impact of UDB’s work in driving socio-economic development across Uganda.
The Banker of the Year Award honours an individual whose leadership has delivered outstanding financial performance while advancing inclusive growth and innovation in the banking sector. According to the award citation, the judging panel sought a leader of “outstanding integrity” who has championed access to finance, empowered communities, and demonstrated tangible impact in the markets they serve.
Dr Ojangole, upon receiving the award, remarked: “It gives me great honour to receive this recognition. This Award is a foundation for me to advance Africa’s development agenda, leveraging tailored financial solutions that respond to the needs of Africans in a sustainable manner. This is a testament to hard work, resilience, consistency, and commitment to serve the region.”
This year’s awards also emphasised leadership in women’s empowerment and access to credit for the real economy, particularly for SMEs and women-led businesses. Under Dr Ojangole’s stewardship, UDB has increased lending to strategic sectors, promoted inclusive finance, and supported innovation within Uganda’s development finance landscape.
Dr Ojangole emerged winner in a competitive field that included: Abdulmajid Mussa Nsekela, MD, CRDB Bank Plc (Tanzania), Jeremy Awori, CEO, Ecobank, Karim Awad, Group CEO, EFG Holding, Léon Konan Koffi, CEO, AFG Holding, Mukwandi Chibesakunda, CEO, Zanaco Inc and Sidi Ould Tah, President, Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa.
Omar Ben Yedder, Chair of the Awards Committee, stressed the vital role of Africa’s private sector and banks in achieving continental transformation. “To paraphrase Thomas Sankara: the ones who finance you, rule you. Africa needs strong, African-owned banks. Development finance institutions (DFIs) are winning big because of their catalytic role in shaping investment flows and supporting SMEs and underserved sectors,” he said.
UDB was one of only six DFIs recognised at the 2025 ceremony, alongside the Trade and Development Bank Group (TDB), African Trade & Investment Development Insurance (ATIDI), Afreximbank, Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), and Bank of Industry (BOI).
Dr Ojangole’s win not only highlights Uganda’s growing prominence in the African financial ecosystem but also underscores the rising impact of development banks in driving inclusive and sustainable growth across the continent.
