London, 12 March 2026 – iibGroup is proud to announce that iib East Africa has been awarded *Best SME Bank in Djibouti by Global Finance Magazine as part of the *Global Finance Best SME Bank Awards 2026. The award was formally presented during the **Best FX Banks & Best SME Bank Awards Ceremony held in London, bringing together leading financial institutions from across the world.

The Global Finance SME Bank Awards recognise banks that demonstrate outstanding commitment to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises through innovative financial solutions, strong lending practices, and a clear contribution to economic development. Winners are selected based on a range of criteria including market share, customer service, product innovation, lending growth, and overall support for the SME sector.

Representing iibGroup at the ceremony were Maruf Ahmed, CEO of iib East Africa, and **Sohail Sultan, Chairman of iibGroup, who accepted the award on behalf of the bank. The recognition highlights iib East Africa’s continued focus on empowering SMEs, strengthening access to finance, and supporting entrepreneurship in Djibouti and the wider region.

SMEs play a central role in the economic development of Djibouti, and iib East Africa has positioned SME banking as a strategic priority. Through tailored financial solutions, trade finance support, working capital facilities, and advisory services, the bank continues to support businesses operating across key sectors including logistics, trade, infrastructure, and services.

This award further reinforces iibGroup’s broader commitment to building a banking platform that supports private sector growth across emerging markets while delivering innovative and responsible financial solutions.