GTR is pleased to reveal the shortlisted nominees for the 2026 Leaders in Trade awards, recognising the banks, fintechs and industry players shaping the global trade finance landscape. Drawn from submissions across regions and sectors, the shortlist highlights institutions demonstrating innovation, market leadership and impact over the past year. Winners will be selected with input from GTR’s advisory panel and announced at the GTR Charity Awards Dinner in London on June 25. Thanks to everyone who sent in a submission, and congratulations to the nominees! Regional awardsBest trade finance bank in East AfricaShortlisted nominees: Equity Bank (Kenya), Mauritius Commercial Bank, Standard CharteredBest trade finance bank in West AfricaShortlisted nominees: Ecobank, First Bank of Nigeria, Stanbic IBTC, Zenith Bank UKBest trade finance bank in Southern AfricaShortlisted nominees: Nedbank, Rand Merchant Bank, Standard BankBest trade finance bank in North AfricaShortlisted nominees: BACB, National Bank of EgyptBest trade finance bank in the Middle EastShortlisted nominees: Arab Bank, Commercial Bank of Dubai, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Rakbank, Standard CharteredBest trade finance bank in the AmericasShortlisted nominees: BNY, Scotiabank, TD SecuritiesBest trade finance bank in AsiaShortlisted nominees: Bank of America, DBS, HSBC, Mizuho, SMBCBest trade finance bank in Western EuropeShortlisted nominees: BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole CIBBest trade finance bank in the UKShortlisted nominees: Barclays, Lloyds Bank, NatWestGlobal awards: Other industry playersBest trade or supply chain finance law firmShortlisted nominees: A&O Shearman, Norton Rose Fulbright, Sullivan & WorcesterBest export finance law firmShortlisted nominees: Norton Rose Fulbright, Sullivan & WorcesterBest trade & supply chain platform*Platforms used directly by corporates to access working capital, receivables finance or supplier finance programmes, typically connecting corporates with banks and investorsShortlisted nominees: CredAble, Finverity, Orbian, PrimeRevenue, SAP TauliaBest trade technology provider*Technology providers used by banks or insurers to process and manage trade finance transactions and trade operationsShortlisted nominees: CGI, China Systems, LiquidX, Premium Technology, SurecompBest trade finance & automation fintech*Fintech solutions helping banks or corporates automate trade finance workflows, document checking, analytics and transaction monitoringShortlisted nominees: Cleareye, Digital Vault Services, Mitigram, Monetago, TraydstreamBest fintech enabling digital trade*Companies enabling digital trade documentation and connectivity across the trade ecosystem (for example, electronic bills of lading and digital transferable records)Shortlisted nominees: CargoX, WaveBLBest early-stage trade fintech innovator*Early-stage companies developing new digital trade or trade finance infrastructure with emerging market adoptionShortlisted nominees: ETR Digital, IBDIC (Indian Banks’ Digital Infrastructure Company), Paper Trader, QualcoBest non-bank trade finance provider (including trade finance funds)Shortlisted nominees: Alteia, Ebury, India Factoring, Pelorus CapitalBest trade credit insurance brokerShortlisted nominees: Aon, BPL, WTWBest political risk insurance brokerShortlisted nominees: Aon, WTWBest trade credit and political risk insurance underwriterShortlisted nominees: Coming soonGlobal awards: BanksBest development bankShortlisted nominees: European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, International Finance Corporation, International Islamic Trade Finance CorporationBest bank for ESGShortlisted nominees: Barclays, BNP Paribas, DBS, NedbankBest bank for digitalisationShortlisted nominees: BNP Paribas, Citi, DBS, Lloyds BankBest supply chain finance bankShortlisted nominees: Bank of America, Citi, Crédit Agricole CIB, MUFG, SantanderBest commodity trade finance bankShortlisted nominees: MUFG, SMBC, Société GénéraleBest export finance bankShortlisted nominees: Bank of America, BNP Paribas, Deutsche Bank, Santander, Standard CharteredBest trade finance bankShortlisted nominees: Bank of America, Citi, Crédit Agricole CIB, Santander*Categories and nominee allocations adjusted by the GTR editorial team and awards judging panel to reflect market realities and the nature of the businesses and activities represented.

Source: The North Africa Journal March 18, 2026 08:09 UTC