President Paul Kagame was on Wednesday night bestowed a special recognition award at the eighth edition of the African Banker Awards, organised by the African Banker Magazine.

According to a statement, the President was recognised for his leadership in the transformation of the country’s economy.

Speaking after the function, Omar Ben Yedde the Publisher of African Banker commended the landmark achievement by banks.

 "We are here in Kigali where we have witnessed the transformation of a country. Since we have launched the awards we have witnessed the transformation of an industry,” he said, during the Awards ceremony that took place on the sidelines of the 49th annual meetings of the African Development Bank in Kigali.

Bank of Kigali was during the ceremony rewarded as the best bank in East Africa.

Women took the day as most awards, including the coveted Banker of the Year, went to women.

The Banker of the Year was given to Vivienne Yeda, Director General of the East African Development Bank, while the lifetime achievement award went to Elizabeth Oleko, the chairperson of the Kenya Women Finance Trust.

The other woman to be awarded was Linah Mohohlo, of Botswana, who emerged as best Central Bank Governor of the Year.

The judges recognised GT Bank as the Bank of the Year, while the deal of the year in terms of equity, went to Atlas Mara Co-Nvest.