In a moment of high praise and heartfelt appreciation, two of the world’s most influential global leaders — WTO Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres — have commended Dr. Akinwumi Adesina’s decade-

long leadership at the helm of the African Development Bank (AfDB).

Their tributes came as the Bank concluded its 2025 Annual Meetings in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, marking the end of a transformational era for both the Bank and the African continent under Adesina’s presidency.

From Vision to Legacy

Adesina’s tenure — described as historic, visionary, and impactful — witnessed the African Development Bank undergo exponential growth. In a moving video message, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala described how the Bank’s capital soared from $93 billion to an impressive $318 billion, reflecting the trust he earned globally and the scale of his ambition for Africa.

But perhaps Adesina’s greatest legacy lies in the clarity and simplicity of his mission: the High 5s — five priority pillars that became synonymous with the Bank’s work under his leadership:

Light up and Power Africa

Feed Africa

Industrialize Africa

Integrate Africa

Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa

These pillars didn’t just guide AfDB’s internal strategy — they became a roadmap for African governments, aligning with the broader aspirations of Agenda 2063, the African Union’s long-term vision for the continent’s future.

Shared History, Shared Impact

Okonjo-Iweala, who served alongside Adesina in Nigeria’s cabinet under former President Goodluck Jonathan, recalled not just the boardroom strategies, but personal moments that spoke to Adesina’s passion and people-first approach.

She remembered how, as Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture, he expanded digital wallet access to two million women farmers, improving transparency and ensuring that government support reached the right hands — a move that became a case study in tech-driven agricultural reform.

As Nigeria’s former Finance Minister and AfDB Governor, Okonjo-Iweala also played a critical role in supporting Adesina’s initial bid for the Bank’s presidency in 2015. A decade later, she describes his legacy as “lasting change for African farmers and economies alike.”

UN Applause for A Global-Scale African Vision

Echoing similar sentiments, UN Secretary-General António Guterres praised Adesina’s “extraordinary vision” and his deep dedication to Africa’s economic transformation.

He highlighted how the Bank under Adesina became not only a key player in responding to crises like COVID-19, but also a leader in long-term structural change — especially in critical sectors like clean energy and climate-smart agriculture.

Guterres also acknowledged Adesina’s efforts in reshaping global development finance. His pioneering role in advocating for the rechanneling of IMF Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) to support Africa’s recovery and growth opened up new avenues for resource mobilization at scale.

Creating African Solutions to African Challenges

One of Adesina’s most notable achievements has been his unwavering commitment to African-led solutions. Okonjo-Iweala pointed to the African Investment Forum (AIF) — an initiative launched by Adesina to bridge the gap between projects and capital — as a perfect example of African ingenuity in motion.

“His leadership wasn’t just about bank numbers,” she noted. “It was about empowering African institutions and Africans themselves to own their future.”

A Decade That Repositioned the AfDB

The 2025 Annual Meetings, held under the theme “Making Africa’s Capital Work Better for Africa’s Development,” attracted over 6,000 delegates, including heads of state such as President Alassane Ouattara (Côte d’Ivoire), President John Mahama (Ghana), and President Azali Assoumani (Union of the Comoros).

It was a fitting stage for Adesina’s final bow — a celebration of what had been achieved and a look ahead to what’s next for Africa’s most important development finance institution.

As he prepares to step down at the end of August, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina leaves behind a revitalized, respected, and resilient African Development Bank — one that now plays a central role in shaping the continent’s development narrative.

And with that, Africa says a heartfelt thank you to the man who dared to dream big — and delivered even bigger.