About The MSME Finance Awards
The MSME Finance Awards is an institutional sector-wide recognition of financial sector players and non-financial institutions including non state actors that are making significant contributions to MSME Finance, Financial inclusion, and entrepreneurship development.
Award Categories Includes
The award is a fallout and an extension of the Annual MSME FINANCE CEO FORUM ®️, conceptualized, curated and convened by Africa Global Economic Forum owners of The Economic Forum Series ®️ since 2018. it is open to industry and market leading MSME financial sector players.
MSME Finance CEO Awards
The MSME Finance CEO Awards celebrates leadership excellence in MSME financing, focusing on CEOs whose strategic vision, innovation, and impact have shaped the MSME finance landscape. A key highlight is the Top 7 CEO of the Year Award, which includes :
Best CEO in Banking
Best CEO in FinTech
Best CEO in Microfinance (MFB)
Best CEO in Insurance
Best CEO in Development Finance (DFi)
Best CEO in Asset Finance
Best CEO in Capital Market.
This structured approach to the awards ensures that institutions and CEOs across the financial services ecosystem get the recognition they deserve. The awards are merit based and the nomination, shortlisting and selection of winners is based on a jury evaluation and an awards review committee chaired by the advisory board of Africa Global Economic Forum ®️.
MSME Digital Finance AWARDs
Celebrating innovation, technology, and digital transformation driving financial inclusion, productivity and growth for MSMEs.
The MSME Digital Finance Awards recognize leading organizations, platforms, and innovators enabling MSME access to finance through digital channels — from payments to lending, credit scoring, supply chain finance, and mobile money solutions.
This category cluster will profile and shine the spotlight on banks, fintechs, telcos, and technology providers who are shaping the future of MSME financial services and ecosystem in Nigeria and Africa.
Strategic Objective
- Recognize Innovation – Celebrate the most impactful digital solutions for MSMEs.
- Promote Inclusion – Highlight platforms reaching underserved segments.
- Encourage Collaboration – Bring together banks, fintechs, telcos, and regulators.
- Drive Industry Standards – Showcase best practices and set benchmarks for digital MSME finance.
Award Categories Includes
There are 7–10 Competitive Cluster Award Categories
Innovation & Platforms
MSME Digital Finance Innovation of the Year
Best MSME Digital Lending Platform
Best MSME Payments & Collections Solution
Best MSME Neobank / Digital-First Bank
Financial Inclusion Impact
Best Digital MSME Financial Inclusion Initiative (by a Bank, Fintech, or Telco)
Most Inclusive Mobile Money or Wallet Solution for MSMEs
Best Digital Trade & Supply Chain Finance Platform
Leadership & Ecosystem
MSME Digital Finance CEO of the Year
Outstanding RegTech / Cybersecurity Solution for MSME Finance
MSME Digital Finance Ecosystem Enabler of the Year
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