KayVee Microfinance Bank, on the 30th of September, 2024 received one of the continent’s highest recognitions in financial services at the Excel Africa Awards, hosted under the prestigious common seal of the African Leadership Review Hall of Fame. At this elite gathering, KayVee MFB was honoured with the Financial Services Leadership Personality of the Year (Institutional Excellence) award—an achievement that reflects our relentless pursuit of innovation, customer empowerment, and inclusive finance in Nigeria.
This accolade also recognised the exceptional leadership of our Managing Director, Ogunnaike Olatoun, whose strategic direction has redefined what responsible, human-first banking can look like in today’s Nigeria.
In this blog article, we explore the full scope of what this award means for us—and more importantly, for you, our customers. It is not just a feather in our cap; it is a validation of every step we have taken to be the financial partner Nigerian individuals and SMEs deserve.
Understanding the Excel Africa Awards
The Excel Africa Awards, organised by the African Leadership Review Hall of Fame, is an annual platform designed to celebrate excellence, innovation, and ethical impact in both public and private institutions across the continent. The awards place emphasis on leadership that fosters societal growth through sustainable practice, innovation, and people-focused service delivery.
KayVee MFB’s recognition in 2024 marks a historic moment—not only because it highlights our transformation within the Nigerian financial services landscape, but also because it validates the broader vision we uphold: to make banking more human, more inclusive, and more empowering for everyday Nigerians.
Why This Award Matters to You
It’s easy to think of industry awards as internal victories, but in truth, recognitions like this one reflect something much more profound: they are a promise of value to our customers.
- A Symbol of Institutional Trust
The Excel Africa Award is a vote of confidence from an external body that sees and recognises our structure, stability, and standards. It sends a clear message that KayVee MFB is not just a bank you can trust today—but one you can rely on tomorrow.
- Confidence in Our Leadership and Direction
With the award specifically recognising the leadership of our MD under the category of Financial Services Leadership, you can be confident that KayVee MFB is led by people who combine technical expertise with emotional intelligence. Leadership that listens, responds, and adapts.
- Better Products and Services for You
An award of this nature enhances our visibility and credibility among investors and development partners. This paves the way for collaborations that result in better financing products, improved digital banking tools, and more resources tailored to your personal and business goals.
- Greater Investment in Technology
Our transformation journey has been largely powered by technology—and this recognition encourages us to go further. We’re investing even more in secure, user-friendly digital banking that gives you better access and control over your finances.
- A Renewed Focus on You
Above all, this recognition reminds us that the heart of our success is you. Whether you’re an artisan in Ibadan, a startup in Lagos, or a teacher saving for your child’s future in Port Harcourt, we remain deeply committed to making your financial dreams possible.
Expanding on Impact: How the Award Deepens Our Promise
An award is only as meaningful as what follows it. For KayVee MFB, this moment is not a peak—it is a platform. Here’s how we are leveraging this recognition to create even greater value:
Empowering More Businesses Through Tailored Credit
We’ve always been passionate about giving SMEs a real chance to thrive. With this new recognition, we’re expanding our reach—rolling out region-specific products that solve the pain points of underserved sectors, including agriculture, trade, education, and informal markets.
Building More Inclusive Digital Channels
Financial inclusion is not just about access—it’s about equal access. We’re simplifying our digital platforms to be more intuitive for first-time users, while enhancing functionality for our digitally savvy customers. Think: multi-language support, voice-enabled services, and offline functionalities for low-bandwidth areas.
Training and Upskilling Our Team
Our service is only as good as the people behind it. Following this milestone, we are doubling down on staff training—equipping every employee, from customer service agents to loan officers, with the tools to serve you better and more empathetically.
Expanding Our Financial Literacy Programmes
We believe that financially empowered customers are the foundation of a healthy economy. That’s why we’re launching free workshops, virtual training sessions, and community-based events designed to help you master your money, grow your business, and make smart financial choices.
Co-Creating with Our Customers
Every product innovation we have introduced—from the SME Flexi Loan to our Target Savings Account—has been influenced by real customer needs. We’re formalising that relationship even further by launching a Customer Innovation Panel, where select clients can preview and shape future products.
On a final note, recognition on the continental stage is humbling, but it’s not the destination—it’s a springboard. The Excel Africa Award for Financial Services Leadership is a powerful affirmation of our journey, our vision, and our capacity to do more.
To our team: Thank you for embodying our values every day.
To our customers: Thank you for your trust. We don’t take it lightly.
To Nigeria: Our promise is simple—we will continue to lead with purpose, act with integrity, and serve with empathy.
