(CITI) - Citi is pleased to announce that Idriss Linge is winner of the 2018 Citi Journalism Award for Excellence (CJEA) for his article on the causes behind the accumulation of non-performing loans by the pan-African banking conglomerate, Ecobank.

CJEA is a global Citi competition which began in 1982 as a way of recognizing journalists for excellence in financial and business reporting in the markets in which Citi does business around the world. Now in its 35th year, the CJEA is a unique program sponsored and co-hosted by Citi and Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism. This is the first time the award has been held in Cameroon.

"Idriss is a financial journalist who has been covering banking, insurance and corporate finance for Ecofin Agency since 2013. Over the years, we have seen Idriss grow from strength to strength, dissect innumerable financial reports, build new skills and seize every training opportunity that comes his way. The 2018 Citi Journalism Award for Excellence is recognition of his work and career to date. Africa has gained an outstanding financial journalist whom we will continue to hear about," said Dominique Flaux, Editor of Ecofin Agency.

A total of 11 business journalists from Europe, the Middle East and Africa will be joining Idriss in New York City, where they will be participating in an 8-day business and financial seminar administered by the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and sponsored by Citi. The program offers participants rigorous workshops in the principles of accounting and finance, and exposure to institutions, policy makers and other thought leaders in the United States.

The CJEA applications were reviewed by a panel of judges from Cameroon composed of well-known and respected individuals who understand the media and how it works, and the increasing importance of financial journalism.

 “Citibank Cameroon is delighted to honour Idriss as winner of the 2018 Citi Journalism Award for Excellence for Cameroon. The increased appetite in Africa for analysis and commentary on complex economic and financial topics cannot be overestimated. This award recognizes the contribution Idriss has made to propelling quality financial journalism in Cameroon and across French-speaking sub-Sahara Africa. And we take this opportunity to congratulate Idriss and fellow journalists who took part in this competition and thank the judges for their commitment to this programme”, said Gordon Acha, Citi Country Officer for Cameroon.

Citi

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About Ecofin Agency

Created in 2011, Ecofin Agency is a platform for economic and financial information that covers the daily news of the main African sectors: finance, agriculture, telecom, mining, electricity, hydrocarbons and communication. There are over 53,000 professionals. The site currently records 2 million visits per month. More on www.agenceecofin.com