AfDB President Akinwumi Adesina Wins ‘African of the Decade’ Award

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Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, has been named the inaugural recipient of the “African of the Decade” award.

This prestigious honor was presented during the 2024 Africa Investment Forum in Rabat, Morocco, marking a historic milestone in the All-Africa Business Leaders Awards.

The award, introduced by the ABN Group in collaboration with CNBC Africa, recognizes individuals who have made profound and enduring contributions to the African continent.

Dr. Adesina’s decade of transformative leadership at the AfDB and his unwavering commitment to ethical governance and sustainable development earned him this distinguished accolade.

Rakesh Wahi, Chairman of the ABN Group, presented the award to Dr. Akinwumi Adesina. In his citation, Godfrey Mutizwa, Chief Editor at CNBC Africa, highlighted Adesina’s leadership in advancing the AfDB’s High5 strategic priorities, which focus on critical areas such as energy, agriculture, and industrialization.

“Dr. Adesina has demonstrated a significant impact on the African continent through innovative solutions, projects, or initiatives that address the continent’s pressing socio-economic and environmental challenges. He has consistently shown leadership, vision, and dedication, driving positive change in sustainable development in Africa,” Wahi said.

“Over ten years ago, Dr. Akinmumi Adesina’s impactful tenure as Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture revolutionized the country’s agro-industrial value chains and transformed the lives of millions of small-holder farmers,” Wahi added.

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Among his many accomplishments, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina spearheaded a groundbreaking partnership between the AfDB and the World Bank, which provided electricity access to 300 million Africans.

The award also reflects Adesina’s earlier contributions as Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture. During his tenure, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina revolutionized the country’s agro-industrial value chains, benefiting millions of smallholder farmers.

He famously tackled decades of corruption in the fertilizer sector by introducing an innovative electronic wallet system, allowing farmers to access subsidized farm inputs directly via mobile phones.

Since becoming AfDB President in 2015, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina has been a driving force behind attracting global investment to Africa. His strategies have consistently showcased the continent’s immense potential and opportunities.

A World Food Prize laureate, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina has also championed innovative approaches to address Africa’s developmental challenges.