BANK of Kigali has been crowned the best bank in East Africa following its innovation and growth in the past few years.The bank was honoured during the African Business Leadership Awards organised by the African Banker Magazine.Finance Minister, John Rwangombwa, who received the award on behalf of BK expressed his gratitude to the organisers and said it was an achievement to the country giving its horrendous past."It’s a great honour for the bank to be recognised for its innovation and including various investors by listing its shares but to the country too,” Rwangombwa told Business Times.Omar Ben Yedder, Publisher of African Banker said they received over 30 regional entries."We mainly look at innovation in banking and Bank of Kigali has improved over the years,” he said."Africa’s financial sector is a major vehicle for driving the economic growth that has become the talk of the investor community around the world.”Ecobank was named the top African Bank of the Year, Access Bank of Nigeria, the best West African Bank and Kenya’s Equity Bank, the best retail bank.The organisers also awarded individuals in the banking sector who have showed extra preparedness and in some cases taken difficult decisions to deliver on their agenda."We honoured individuals who were prepared to take the bull by the horn and to carry out well thought out visions,” said Yedder.Arnold Ekpe, Ecobank’s Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO), one of the most outstanding African bankers, was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award.Ethiopian’s Dr. EleniGabre-Mahdin, the Founder and Managing Director of the Ethiopia Commodities Exchange, was awarded the African Banker Icon Award for playing a pivotal role in improving the lives of farmers.Sponsored by the African Development Bank, this was the sixth edition of the African Business Leadership Awards that gathers top bankers across the continent.