Our Correspondent | Africa Guardian
Dr. Akinkunmi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), has described his recent “African of the Decade” award as a powerful testament to Africa’s transformative potential. He received the prestigious honor at the 2024 Africa Investment Forum in Rabat, Morocco, marking a milestone in the All-Africa Business Leaders Awards.
Speaking after receiving the award alongside his wife, Mrs. Grace Yemisi Adesina, Dr. Adesina dedicated the recognition to Africa’s resilient people and those working tirelessly to advance the continent’s development. “I dedicate this recognition to the resilient people of Africa and all those working tirelessly to advance the continent’s development,” he said. Expressing his deep pride in being African, he added, “God did not make a mistake when He made me an African… and I will do all I can, to my final breath, for Africa.”
The award, introduced by the ABN Group in collaboration with CNBC Africa, honors individuals who have made a lasting impact on the continent. Dr. Adesina, who is set to conclude his 10-year tenure as AfDB president next year, is celebrated for his visionary leadership and transformative impact on millions of lives across Africa.
ABN Group Chairman Rakesh Wahi presented the award to Dr. Adesina during the forum. The citation, read by CNBC Africa’s Chief Editor Godfrey Mutizwa, praised Dr. Adesina for his unwavering commitment to ethical leadership and his ability to drive meaningful change through the Bank’s High5 strategic priorities.
The awards committee acknowledged Dr. Adesina for his significant impact on the African continent, highlighting his innovative solutions and projects that address the continent’s socio-economic and environmental challenges. “Dr. Adesina has demonstrated leadership, vision, and dedication, driving positive change in sustainable development across Africa,” said Wahi.
Among the key achievements noted was Dr. Adesina’s role in leading the African Development Bank in a groundbreaking partnership with the World Bank to provide electricity access to 300 million Africans. The award also recognizes his earlier role as Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture, where his reforms revolutionized the country’s agro-industrial value chains, directly benefiting millions of smallholder farmers. Notably, he introduced an innovative electronic wallet system that ended decades of corruption in Nigeria’s fertilizer sector, providing farmers with direct access to subsidized inputs through their mobile phones.
Since assuming leadership of the African Development Bank in 2015, Dr. Adesina, a World Food Prize laureate, has attracted global investment and championed innovative development strategies, consistently positioning Africa as a continent of immense potential and opportunity.
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