The African of the Decade Award Committee, awarded to the AfDB Director, highlighted Mr. Adesina’s innovative collaborations, including the innovative partnership between the African Development Bank and the World Bank aimed at providing access to electricity to 300 million Africans.
In a historic celebration of African leadership, Akinwumi Adesina’s decade-long impact on the continent’s development saw him receive the first-ever award of the African of the decade“. The President of the African Development Bank Group received this distinguished honor at the Africa Investment Forum held last week in Rabat, Morocco, marking a significant moment in the history of the All-Africa Business Leaders Awards.
This prestigious award, launched by the ABN Group in collaboration with CNBC Africa, recognizes people who have had a lasting and profound impact on the continent, explain the organizers in a press release.
Mr. Adesina, who will complete ten years as head of the African Development Bank Group next year, is widely recognized for his visionary leadership and achievements aimed at improving the lives of millions of people across Africa .
ABN Group Chairman Rakesh Wahi presented the award to Mr. Adesina during the Africa Investment Forum 2024 in Rabat, Morocco. In a citation read by Godfrey Mutizwa, Editor-in-Chief of CNBC Africa, the award selection committee praised Mr. Adesina for his unwavering commitment to ethical and responsible leadership and his ability to generate significant changes across Africa, particularly through the Bank’s “High 5” strategic priorities.
“Mr. Adesina has made a significant impact on the African continent through innovative solutions, projects or initiatives that respond to the continent’s pressing socio-economic and environmental challenges. He has consistently demonstrated leadership, vision and dedication, driving positive change in sustainable development in Africa“, said Mr. Wahi.
The Prize Committee highlighted Mr. Adesina’s innovative collaborations, including the innovative partnership between the African Development Bank and the World Bank to provide access to electricity to 300 million Africans.
The award also recognizes Mr. Adesina for his previous role as Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture.
“More than a decade ago, Mr. Akinmumi Adesina’s landmark tenure as Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture revolutionized the country’s agribusiness value chains and transformed the lives of millions of smallholder farmers“, said Mr. Wahi.
Under the tenure of Akinmumi Adesina, Nigeria ended 40 years of corruption in the fertilizer sector, by developing and implementing an innovative e-wallet system, which provides large-scale subsidized agricultural inputs directly to farmers through their cell phones.
Since joining the African Development Bank in 2015, World Food Prize winner Adesina has been instrumental in attracting global investment, championing innovative development strategies and has consistently presented Africa as a continent of immense potential and opportunities.
Accompanied by his wife Mrs. Grace Yemisi Adesina, the President of the African Development Bank expressed his gratitude for the honor, describing the award as a testimony to what is possible through the transformative power of Africa’s potential. . “I dedicate this distinction to the resilient people of Africa and all those who work tirelessly to advance the continent’s development.”he said.
« God made no mistake in making me an African… and I will do everything I can, until my last breath, for Africa», a promis M. Adesina.
Distributed by APO Group for African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
THE/Sf/the/APA
