Dr. Akinwumi Adesina has concluded his decade‑long tenure as President of the African Development Bank Group, marking the end of an era. A farewell ceremony was held at the Sofitel Hotel in Abidjan, where African leaders, development partners, and bank staff gathered to recognize his contributions. Nigeria’s Industry Minister, Dr. Doris Nkiruka Uzoka‑Anite, represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and praised Adesina’s impact, noting that he has shown how development can transform millions of lives.
During his leadership, the bank’s “High 5” strategic priorities reached 565 million people, while the capital base grew from $93 billion in 2015 to $318 billion in 2024. The institution maintained its AAA credit rating throughout his tenure and became the first multilateral development bank to deploy synthetic securitisation. In 2024 it launched a private‑sector hybrid capital transaction worth $750 million. Overall, the African Development Bank Group provided over $102 billion in support for Africa and invested more than $55 billion in infrastructure, including energy, water and sanitation, roads, transport corridors, and digital networks. Its concessional financing window, the African Development Fund, was ranked the second‑best concessional financing institution globally.
Former Nigerian Vice President Yemi Osinbajo paid tribute to Adesina’s visionary leadership, emphasizing that great leadership is not only about responding to crises but also about long‑term preparation. Adesina thanked his staff, calling them the bank’s greatest asset, and acknowledged the support of his wife, Grace. Under his stewardship, the bank’s institutional culture fostered remarkable career advancement, with 236 staff members receiving promotions. Commitment to gender equality was evident, as the share of women Vice Presidents rose from 14 % in 2015 to 44 % in 2025.
As Dr. Sidi Ould Tah prepares to assume the presidency on 1 September 2025, Adesina offered a message of confidence in institutional continuity, stating that while leadership may change, the mission remains unchanged. He affirmed that the bank’s direction is clear, its resolve strong, and its commitment to Africa’s development unshakable. The African Development Bank Group’s transformative work has earned international recognition, and its legacy will continue to shape the continent’s development landscape.
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