African Leadership Magazine has officially unveiled its highly anticipated Top 25 African Finance Leaders 2025 list-an esteemed editorial recognition celebrating excellence, innovation, and transformative leadership across Africa’s financial services and economic governance landscape.
Among the distinguished honorees is Dr. Walton Ekundayo Gilpin, Managing Director and CEO of Rokel Commercial Bank (RCBank).
His inclusion in this year’s list highlights his exemplary contributions to economic reform, institutional resilience, and inclusive development.
Dr. Gilpin has demonstrated remarkable skills in navigating complex economic environments, championing strategic reforms, and restoring confidence in national and regional economies.
His efforts have been pivotal in advancing digital finance, bolstering investor trust, and strengthening governance frameworks that support sustainable economic growth.
“As Africa continues to emerge as a formidable force in the global economy, these finance leaders are setting new benchmarks for financial leadership and vision,” said Dr. Ken Giami, Publisher and CEO of African Leadership Magazine. “They have not only overcome significant challenges but are actively shaping a future defined by growth, transparency, and resilience.”
The selection process for the Top 25 list is meticulous and transparent, beginning with nominations from a global panel of experts in finance and banking.
The editorial board then evaluates candidates based on their leadership, impact, and long-term influence on Africa’s financial sector. This thorough approach ensures that only the most deserving individuals-those truly transforming the continent’s economic narrative-are recognized.
The honorees were formally celebrated at the African Finance Leadership Forum on April 22, 2025, held at the United States Capitol Building, Washington, D.C., on the sidelines of the 2025 Spring Meetings of the World Bank Group (WBG) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
ALM Top 25 African Finance Leaders 2025: Dr. Benedict Okey Oramah – President/Chairman, African Export–Import Bank Mthuli Ncube – Minister of Finance, Economic Development & Investment Promotion, Zimbabwe, Abdellatif Jouahri – Governor, Bank Al-Maghrib (Morocco), Jeremy Awori – Group CEO, Ecobank Transnational Inc., Situmbeko Musokotwane – Minister of Finance, Zambia, Johnny Ohisa Damian – Governor, Bank of South Sudan, Paul Russo – CEO, KCB Group PLC, Kenya, Samaila Zubairu – President/CEO, Africa Finance Corporation, Johnson Asiama – Governor, Bank of Ghana, Olusegun Alebiosu – CEO, FirstBank Group, Nigeria, Rindra Rabarinirinarison – Minister of Economy and Finance, Madagascar, Mary Vilakazi – CEO, Firstrand Limited, South Africa, Mamo E. Mihretu – Governor, National Bank of Ethiopia, Kennedy Bungane – Group CEO, African Bank, South Africa, Rama Krishna Sithanen – Governor, Bank of Mauritius, Idrissa Nassa – CEO, Coris Bank Group, Burkina Faso, Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura – Minister of Finance, Sierra Leone, Carolina Abel – Governor, Central Bank of Seychelles, Walton Ekundayo Gilpin – MD/CEO, Rokel Commercial Bank, Sierra Leone, Ferdinand Ngon Kemoum – Group CEO, Oragroup SA, Cameroon, Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina – President, African Development Bank Group, Sheikh Diba – Minister of Finance and Budget, Senegal, Abdulmajid Mussa Nsekela – CEO, CRDB Bank Plc, Tanzania, Khaled Al-Mabrouk Abdullah – Minister of Finance, Libya and Hon. Henry F. Saamoi – Governor, Central Bank of Liberia.
