DAR ES SALAAM, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Former Bank of Tanzania (BoT) Governor Benno Ndulu has emerged winner of the 2018 prestigious award given to outstanding African central banks governors, BoT said in a statement on Wednesday.

Ndulu scooped the African Bankers' Central Bank Governor of the Year Award in recognition of his contribution to financial inclusion and increased access to banking services in the east African nation, said the statement.

The statement said Ndulu, who retired early this year, received the award for the third time. He first received the award in 2009 before scooping it again in 2015.

Ndulu was honored at the ongoing annual meetings of the African Development Bank (AfDB) in Busan, South Korea, according to the statement.

The Executive Director of the AfDB for the East Africa region, Namajeje Weggoro, received the award on behalf of the former BoT Governor, according to the statement.

The award giving ceremony brought together key banking industry players and top government officials from Africa and around the world to honor the achievements of institutions and individuals, who have contributed immensely to the reform, modernization and expansion of the continent's banking and financial sector, whilst driving Africa's sustained economic growth.

Ndulu completed his 10-year stint as BoT Governor in January 2018.