The 17th Annual Banking and Finance Conference kicked off at the Congress Hall, Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, with a gathering of African leaders, banking chiefs, and financial experts.

The conference, themed “Accelerated Economic Growth and Development: The State of Play and the Way Forward,” aims to discuss strategies for driving economic growth and development in Africa.

In attendance were representatives of the Presidents of Liberia, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Nigeria, including Vice-President Jeremiah Kpan Koung of Liberia, Vice Prime Minister/Minister of the Economy Daniel Mukoko Samba of DRC, and Vice-President Senator Kashim Shettima of Nigeria.

Also present were Chairman of Heirs Holdings and UBA Group, Mr. Tony Elumelu, CFR, FCIB; President and Chairman of the Council, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Prof. Pius Deji Olanrewaju, Ph.D, FCIB; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; MD/CEO, Nigeria Deposit Insurance, Mr. Bello Hassan, FCIB; and GMD/CEO of UBA Group and Chairman of Body of Banks’ CEOs, Mr. Oliver Alawuba, FCIB.

The conference is a platform for stakeholders to share knowledge, insights, and strategies for advancing the financial sector and national development.