AfDB Honors Dr. Akinwumi Adesina in Abidjan After a Decade of Transformational Leadership

Abidjan, August 30, 2025 – The African Development Bank (AfDB) held a grand farewell ceremony on Saturday in honor of its outgoing president, Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, at the Sofitel Hotel Ivoire in Abidjan. The event featured emotional tributes, speeches by African leaders, and the launch of a commemorative book celebrating his impactful tenure before he officially hands over to his successor, Sidi Ould Tah.

The farewell evening brought together AfDB staff, African dignitaries, and international partners to celebrate what many hailed as a decade of visionary leadership. Speakers one after the other praised Dr. Adesina’s legacy, highlighting his transformative impact across the continent.

Notably, Dr. Adesina led the Bank from a capital base of $93 billion in 2015 to $318 billion in 2025. His tenure also saw a record replenishment of the African Development Fund, reaching $8.9 billion, and the implementation of the High 5 agenda, which has transformed the lives of over 565 million Africans, including 28 million who now have access to electricity.

Representing the Nigerian government, the Minister of State for Finance described Dr. Adesina as “one of the country’s brightest sons and a respected development leader.”

In his farewell remarks, Dr. Adesina expressed deep gratitude to his family, colleagues, and the African heads of state who supported his mission.

“I never saw the presidency of the Bank as a job, but as a mission to transform Africa,” he said, emphasizing that the achievements of the past decade were the result of a collective commitment.

He reaffirmed the AfDB’s central role in infrastructure financing and urged the institution to remain closely aligned with the needs of African populations.

The emotional ceremony also included the unveiling of a commemorative book titled “Akinwumi A. Adesina: The Man, His Mandate, His Mission, and His Message.”

A former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development in Nigeria, Dr. Adesina has led the AfDB since May 28, 2015. He will officially pass the baton to Sidi Ould Tah, the newly elected president from Mauritania, on Monday, September 1, 2025, in Abidjan.

The African Development Bank is the continent’s leading multilateral financial institution, with 81 member countries, including 54 African nations and 27 non-regional members.