First Bank, along with its subsidiaries within the First Bank Group, remains at the forefront of promoting cross-border businesses and facilitating trade and investment opportunities. The bank’s efforts have proven instrumental in strengthening trade relations between nations.

An exemplary initiative introduced by First Bank in 2021 is the First Global Transfer (FGT). This pioneering program was meticulously crafted to guarantee secure, prompt, and enhanced efficiency in fund transfers among the extensive network of First Bank subsidiaries in Africa. By implementing the FGT, First Bank aims to facilitate seamless financial transactions and foster economic growth within the region.

In 2021, the Bank introduced its First Global Transfer (FGT) initiative, a specialized program aimed at ensuring secure, prompt, and enhanced efficiency in fund transfers among the network of First Bank subsidiaries in Africa.

First Bank of Nigeria Limited, the foremost banking institution and a leading provider of financial inclusion services in Nigeria, has been honored with the Financial Institution of the Year Award at the inaugural African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) Pan African Business and Development Awards. This prestigious event marked the 30th anniversary of Afreximbank and was hosted in association with the Business Council for Africa (BCA) in Accra, Ghana.

In addition to its efforts in facilitating cross-border transactions, First Bank introduced the First Global Transfer (FGT) initiative in 2021. This groundbreaking initiative was specifically designed to ensure secure, prompt, and enhanced efficiency in fund transfers across the network of First Bank subsidiaries in Africa. The FGT service extends beyond First Bank Group’s customers, as it is also available to any individual residing in the country from which the funds are being transferred.

Reacting to the awards, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, CEO, First Bank said: “We thank the organisers of the event (Afreximbank, BCA) for the recognition as it reinforces our commitment to promoting trade, finance and investment opportunities across borders which have been instrumental to the continued growth and development of the continent and the world. On behalf of the Board and Management, this award is dedicated to all employees at the First Bank Group for their diligence and hard work as well as to our esteemed customers for their loyalty and patronage in over 129 years of existence’’ he concluded.

Also commenting on the awards, Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board, who has been at the Bank for over 29 years said: “Tonight we are recognising outstanding leaders and institutions. Having joined the Bank in 1994, I have been fortunate to have worked with many of them… At Afreximbank, contributing to Africa’s development is a lifetime vocation, as I know it is for all those that we have recognised tonight.”

In recognising these leaders and institutions, Arnold Ekpe, chair of the BCA and former Group CEO of Ecobank, said: “Too often our business leaders do not get the praise they deserve. Succeeding in business on the continent is not always easy, but it is rewarding and more importantly it is possible to build strong, profitable businesses that are globally competitive. Our winners tonight have demonstrated this.”

First Bank has maintained a remarkable track record of excellence, garnering regular accolades from esteemed international institutions. Among its recent string of accomplishments, the bank proudly received the prestigious title of Best Financial Inclusion Service Provider Nigeria 2023 from Digital Banker Africa. Additionally, First Bank was honored as the Best Private Bank for Sustainable Investing in Africa by Global Finance. These well-deserved recognitions further solidify First Bank’s unwavering commitment to exceptional performance and their dedication to promoting financial inclusion and sustainable investment practices in the region.