The Angaza Awards: Women to Watch in Banking and Finance program has opened the call for entries for the “2021 Top 10 Women to Watch” list to feature women across the various industries that make up the financial services sector. The entry period for the Award runs from 1st August 2021 to 30th October 2021.
“The common thread tied together all the 2020 participants, regardless of their country or industry, was the pursuit of excellence. The Top 10 Women to Watch are truly exceptional and stand head and shoulders above their peers in terms of delivering quantifiable results. That creates long-term impact for their firms, the economy and society,” said Nuru Mugambi, Angaza Awards Chairperson and New Faces New Voices Kenya Founding Trustee. “We are excited to open up the Angaza Awards to the Continent, and we look forward to showcasing the amazing talent that we know is out there.”
The 2021 Award follows last year’s program, which covered the East Africa Region, was sponsored by Equity Bank Group and Old Mutual Ltd and attracted entries from Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. The 2020 Angaza Awards ceremony featured Dr Nancy Onyango of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and New York Times Best-Selling Author Gail Evans as keynote speakers. It was supported by Graça Machel Trust and New Faces New Voices Kenya. This year, the Award seeks to recognize women from across Africa who shape the financial sector through their organizations.
“The Angaza Awards put a spotlight on my professional achievements for the first time, and concurrently brought attention to NCBA Bank, but most importantly raised the profile of female bankers in Rwanda. My reflections are on what I quoted from the media that says, “We thought there was only one female banker in Rwanda, until Angaza”. Said Lina M. Higiro, Chief Executive Officer, NCBA Bank Rwanda PLC, was recognized as one of the Top 10 Women to Watch in Banking and Finance.
“Angaza Awards 2020 has built my credibility in the international space and validated my outstanding position back home,” said Millicent Omukaga, Advisor on Women Empowerment and Financial Inclusion at African Development Bank Group, who was also recognized. “Highlighting my achievements made me stand out as a solid banking and finance professional among my peers,” she added.
The 2021 Pan-African Awards judging panel includes:
- Catherine Musakali, Women on Boards Network (Kenya)
- Esohe Denise Odaro, Head of Investor Relations, International Finance Corporation (United States)
- Hedwige Nuyens, Managing Director, International Banking Federation (UK)
- Yawa Hansen-Quao, Executive Director, Emerging Public Leaders (Ghana)
- Maxwell Pirikisi, Board Member, Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce (South Africa)
- Joanita Lunkuse â Jaggwe, Expert on Financing, Office of the Prime
- Minister, Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit (Uganda)
- Luke Ombara, Director of Regulatory Policy and Strategy, Capital Markets Authority (Kenya)
The Angaza Award criteria include assessing the applicants’ area of responsibility and contribution to firm performance. Scores are also awarded for achievement that transcends the institution and results in sector or community shared value creation. Professionals in Banking,
Capital Markets, Insurance, Investment Banking, Fintech, Fund Management, Microfinance, and Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs) are invited to submit their applications or nominations via the Award Web page at www.AngazaAwards.com.
The Graça Machel Trust supports this great initiative as a way of celebrating women movers and shakers in the finance sector!
Watch the 2020 Awards here.Â
This article was compiled by Nuru Mugambi, Angaza Awards Chairperson and New Faces New Voices Kenya Founding Trustee.Â
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