GTR+ MEA Awards 2026: Online Voting Open for Middle East Trade Finance Awards

The GTR+ MEA Awards 2026 are now open for voting, recognising the institutions shaping the trade finance landscape across the Middle East and Africa.

Organised by Global Trade Review (GTR), the awards celebrate leadership, innovation, market influence, and impact across the regional trade finance ecosystem.

For the first time, the 2026 awards will be decided through a public online ballot, giving market participants a direct voice in recognising institutions that have demonstrated strong visibility, innovation, and leadership within the industry.

The awards are designed to reflect market sentiment and reward institutions that have made meaningful contributions to trade finance, supply chain finance, export finance, trade technology, and related sectors over the past year.

Voting Timeline

• Voting deadline: 31 July 2026

Eligible Regions

Voting categories are available across:

• Middle East
• Africa

Middle East Participating Markets

• Bahrain
• Iraq
• Jordan
• Kuwait
• Lebanon
• Oman
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Africa Participating Markets

• Angola
• Côte d’Ivoire
• Egypt
• Ethiopia
• Ghana
• Kenya
• Mauritius
• Morocco
• Nigeria
• South Africa
• Tanzania
• Zambia

Award Categories

Regional award categories include:

• Leading regional trade finance bank
• Leading commodity trade finance provider
• Leading supply chain finance provider
• Leading correspondent banking partner for trade
• Leading SME and local content trade finance provider
• Leading export credit agency
• Leading non-bank trade finance and investment provider
• Leading trade technology or platform provider
• Leading law firm in trade
• Leading trade credit and political risk insurance provider
• Breakthrough market entrant in trade finance

Who Can Participate?

Voting is intended for:

• Trade finance professionals
• Banking and financial services stakeholders
• Trade and investment institutions
• Corporate clients and counterparties
• Supply chain finance practitioners
• Market participants with professional knowledge of the sector

Votes should be based on:

• Professional experience
• Market knowledge
• Institutional visibility and leadership
• Innovation and influence demonstrated over the past year

Important Information

• The awards are voting-based and not submission-based
• GTR monitors voting activity to maintain integrity and identify unusual voting patterns
• Winners will be announced after the close of voting
• A full list of winners will be published in the GTR+ MEA 2026 publication scheduled for release in December 2026
• The awards are separate from the GTR Leaders in Trade Awards, which remain globally focused and submission-based

Why These Awards Matter

The GTR+ MEA Awards provide an important platform for:

• Recognising excellence in trade finance and trade-related services
• Highlighting innovation across the Middle East and Africa
• Celebrating institutions driving regional trade and economic development
• Strengthening visibility and credibility within the global trade ecosystem
• Reflecting industry sentiment and peer recognition

The initiative also promotes broader awareness of institutions supporting supply chain resilience, SME trade access, export finance, trade technology, and cross-border commerce.

Voting Process

Participants can cast their votes online for institutions operating across Middle East and African trade finance markets.

Votes should reflect institutions that have demonstrated:

• Market leadership
• Innovation
• Client impact
• Regional influence
• Operational excellence

Click HERE to visit the official website