The Chief Executive Officer of the International Bank (IB) Liberia-Ltd, Henry F. Saamoi, recently delivered a mouth-watering speech at the just ended 12th African Leadership Magazine Person of the Year Awards Ceremony in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Delivering his speech that witnessed joyous cheers from the audience, at the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel, Saamoi shared incisive viewpoints and priceless contributions to furthering conversations about the socioeconomic advancement of Africa.
The 12th African Leadership Magazine Person of the Year Awards Ceremony was held from February 22 to February 23, 2024, as the ALM Persons of the Year (POTY) Ceremony is a flagship annual event of the African Leadership Magazine.
It has been held consecutively over the past 12 years, convening policymakers, private sector leaders, civil society leaders, thought leaders, and all stakeholders from across Africa and the rest of the world, to discuss issues bothering Africa’s socioeconomic growth and development.
The event has also become a prestigious platform for honoring people-centered leadership and Africans who are pursuing a pan- African agenda in their chosen fields of endeavor, while the African Leadership Magazine, published by the African Leadership Organization (UK), focuses on presenting the best of Africa to a global audience.
It shares the African story from an African perspective, offering solutions to current challenges on the continent, as for the past 16 years, the organization has dedicated itself to promoting impactful leadership and African opportunities globally through quality Afro-positive content, African trade facilitation, market entry solutions, Afro-centric communities, business networking platforms, and public sector training and consulting.
Under Saamoi’s leadership, IB-Liberia has experienced significant financial growth, including increases in assets, revenue, and profitability and expansion and market penetration; he spearheaded initiatives that have expanded the bank’s presence, whether by opening new branches, introducing innovative products and services, or entering new markets.
As for enhanced customer experience, Saamoi focused on improving customer service and satisfaction through various means, such as implementing digital banking solutions, streamlining processes, and offering personalized services.
Regulatory compliance and risk management, and ensuring compliance with banking regulations and managing risks effectively, are critical responsibilities for a bank CEO, and Saamoi has demonstrated proficiency in these areas, safeguarding the bank’s reputation and stability.
Saamoi has led the bank in contributing to community development, supporting education or healthcare initiatives, or promoting environmental sustainability, implementing training programs, mentorship opportunities, and other initiatives to nurture talent within the bank.
With technology and innovation in today’s digital age, innovation is key to staying competitive, and Saamoi has overseen the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and fostered a culture of innovation within the organization with the theme “Building Resilient African Economies,” and the forthcoming year’s event is expected to draw in over 300 attendees, including academics, business executives, industry titans, legislators, investors, and representatives of international development organizations.
Also, the event promises roundtable panel discussions, keynote addresses, talks about partnerships and investments, and high-level networking opportunities, among its main attractions. ALM Persons of the Year winners will also receive awards during the ceremony, which will also feature the unveiling of the special POTY edition of African Leadership Magazine.
Meanwhile, exclusive dignitaries at the event were William Ruto, President of Kenya; George Weah, former Liberian President; Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, former President of Tanzania; Liberia’s Speaker, Cllr. Fonati Koffa, and Rodrigo Guzmán Barro, Chile Ambassador in Addis Ababa.
Also in attendance were Kailesh Jagutpal, Mauritius Minister of Health and Wellness; Ngozi Ekeoma, the CEO of NAPAL Petroleum; Adesola Kazeem Adeduntan (FCA), the Group CEO of First Bank of Nigeria; Apostle Michael Adeyemi Adefarasin, Chief Servant, Kingdom Lifeline Apostolic Ministries International, and Daniel Asiedu, the Managing Director of the OmniBSICBank, Accra, Ghana.
Others were Gil Bires, the Director-General of Investment and Export Promotion Agency (APIEX-Mozambique), and Mike Kamungeremu, the President of the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC), among many others.
