By Fazila Dahall, President of the Financial Afrik Awards jury
It was an honor and a privilege to preside over the 7th edition of the Financial Afrik Awards, held on January 22 and 23, 2026 in Banjul, Gambia – the “Smiling Coast of Africa”, renowned not only for one of the most remarkable coastlines on the continent, but also for its stability, openness, and growing confidence as an emerging investment platform. Beyond its modest size, the influence of The Gambia continues to extend far beyond its borders, driven by a people resolutely focused on the future and by a country increasingly recognized as one of the most promising investment destinations in Africa.
It is in this context that the Awards were held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center, under the theme: “Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) as an alternative to public debt”. Over the years, the Financial Afrik Awards have become a leading continental platform for strategic dialogue, partnership building, and recognition of African excellence. But beyond the beauty of the setting and the significance of the meeting, this 7th edition carried a deeper message.
It was a message of recognition.
Recognition of courage.
Recognition of vision.
Recognition of those who choose to build, invest, lead, and believe – especially when the path is strewn with obstacles.
The official opening by His Excellency President Adama Barrow was meaningful. His presence reflected The Gambia’s strong commitment to entrepreneurship, openness, and regional cooperation, and sent a powerful message: Africa’s future is not built in isolation, but through partnership, dialogue, and shared ambition. The event brought together ministers, regional governors, institutional leaders, financial officials, business leaders, development partners, and investors from Africa and beyond.
At a time marked by strong global uncertainty and constrained public finances, the theme of PPPs as an alternative to public debt resonated particularly. The discussions reminded that Africa’s development ambitions – especially in infrastructure, energy, transportation, digital connectivity, and housing – can only be achieved through innovative financing mechanisms and strong private sector involvement. Throughout the forum, speakers emphasized that PPPs, blended finance, and Islamic finance instruments such as sukuk are no longer options, but essential pillars of sustainable development.
Concrete case studies, including the Trans-Gambia Corridor and the Senegambia Bridge, illustrated how well-designed partnerships can produce transformative impact while preserving budget sustainability. This edition also strengthened the Africa-Arab World strategic partnership, highlighting the growing convergence between African investment needs and long-term Arab capital. With 29 bankable projects presented in six countries, the forum demonstrated Africa’s willingness to engage not just as a recipient of capital, but as a strategic co-investor.
In many ways, the spirit of this meeting echoed a timeless African proverb:
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
Africa’s transformation will not be carried by a single sector, a single country, or a single institution. It will be carried by collaboration – between entrepreneurs and investors, institutions and innovators, public decision-makers and economic leaders – working together across borders and sectors to create shared value.
At Financial Afrik, we celebrate African successes not only to applaud performance, but also to inspire the next generation to dream bigger, aim higher, and lead with integrity. We believe in Africa’s destiny. We believe in economic freedom, convinced that sustainable growth flourishes where initiative is encouraged, innovation rewarded, and markets governed by transparency and fairness. These Awards reaffirm that economic freedom is not just an economic principle – it is a human principle. When individuals thrive, communities thrive, and when communities thrive, nations rise.
A special segment “Investing in The Gambia” highlighted the country’s growing positioning as a regional investment hub, supported by reforms, investor protection frameworks, and expanding opportunities in tourism, energy, logistics, agribusiness, and the digital economy.
Winners – 7th Financial Afrik Awards
- Minister of the Year: Sheku Fantamadi Bangura, Minister of Finance – Sierra Leone
- Special Jury Prize – Financial Leadership: Serge Ekue, President of BOAD
- Career Achievement Award: Zul-Kifl Salami
- Arab-African Cooperation Award: Ali Alshimmari, CEO & General Manager – Global South Utilities (GSU)
- Transaction of the Year: Arsène Dansou, CEO – BIIC; IPO of BIIC – Benin
- Financier of the Year: Birahim Diouf, CEO – DC/BR
- Champion of Financial and Social Inclusion: AMIFA & Banque Centrale Populaire (BCP), Morocco
- CEO of AMIFA: Cherkaoui Mouhsine
- Economist of the Year: Mohamed H’Midouche
- CEO of the Year: Gagan Gupta, CEO – ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms (ARISE IIP)
- Leadership Award for Trade and African Integration: Latifa El Bouabdellaoui, General Manager – Islamic Center for Trade Development (ICDT)
- Honorary Medal: Alagie Sanyang, CEO – Cornerstone Group
To the winners, we extend our congratulations not only for their achievements, but for what they embody: courage in leadership, a sense of responsibility, and faith in Africa’s future. Your success sends a strong message, far beyond this stage, to young entrepreneurs, emerging leaders, and future innovators: excellence is possible, and Africa is a land where ambition can take root and thrive.
This event would not have been possible without the commitment of the organizing committee, the editorial team of Financial Afrik, the distinguished members of the jury, our partners, sponsors, and all those who worked tirelessly behind the scenes. Your professionalism and dedication testify to your belief in the power of recognition.
As we approach the next edition of the Financial Afrik Awards, we remember the words of Nelson Mandela:
“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others.”
