Rokel Bank MD Clinches African Banker of the Year Award
By: Aruna Dumbuya
The Global Reputational Forum & Reputation Fintech and Award ceremony was hosted by Reputation Poll International on the 8th & 9th December, 2023 at the Marriott County Hall in London. The event was staged to acknowledge rapid expansion, integration, accelerated growth, and reforms of Africa’s banking and financial sector. The event honored and celebrated outstanding Banks and Fintech Institutions that are moving Africa’s rapidly transforming the financial sector.
The first day of the event took the form of a symposium that featured four groups discussing different walks of life. Dr. Gilpin happened to be part of the banking sector group to discuss the digital transformation in the banking sector of Sierra Leone and Africa at large.
Key members of his team were adroit panelists like:
- Peter Kolade Fashesin-Souza from Bank of England
- Dr. Graham Bright from Euro Exim Bank
- Mr. Olufemi Bakre from Paralex Bank Nigeria, and
- Dr. Tony Ojobo – The lead panelist – President of the African ICT Foundation
Dr. Gilpin served as a moderator on the second day of the event that featured speeches and fire side chats with panelists like:
- Her Excellency Atifete Jahjaga – First female president of Kosovo (2011-2016)
- Dr. Yvonne Thompson – Founder WINTRADE GLOBAL
- Dr. Rex Idaminabo – FRSA
- Olori Atuwatse III – Queen of Warri Kingdom, Nigeria
- Prof. Mthulincube – Ministry of Finance & Inv, Zimbabwe
- Peter K. Fashesin-Souza – Head of IT, Security & Risk, Bank of England (HSBC)
- Festus Akinbusoye – Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner
Dr Walton E. Gilpin impressed the high-level panelists of finance, economic experts and leaders on the 8th & 9th of December, 2023 deliberating on the operations of traditional banks in Africa and how they are embracing technology for enhanced customer experiences and operational efficiency.
Dr. Gilpin emerging as “African Banker of The Year” is a testament of the cutting-edge strategies in the technological and innovative drive of RCBank to place itself among key players in the African Continental Innovation Drive. The prodigious fulfillment of the Sierra Leone banking industry by the astute MD will always leave an indelible blueprint for many banking and other financial practitioners.
The Managing Director who is renowned for his flawless oratory and excellent skills of the financial industry explained effortlessly the intricacies and opportunities digitalization has brought to the continent’s banking industry, making reference to Rokel Commercial Bank which he said has diligently navigated through a tumultuous transition to become a leader in innovative digital banking in Sierra Leone.
Underscoring the challenges faced by banks especially in terms of their desire to serve the whole country versus the realities of coping with infrastructural shortfalls like insufficient mobile connectivity, the MD said banks would normally have to collaborate with Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to ensure customers have access to financial services wherever possible. To this end and considering the fact that Sierra Leone is a cash-based economy, RCBank has adopted several innovative ways to ensure customers access their services in almost every part of the country.
This type of plenary session is the dream of great bankers and financial practitioners who may want to develop their up-skills and want to be part of a team of highbrows.
