The Q2 issue of African Banker magazine profiles the eight candidates vying for the African Development Bank Presidency. In these one-to-one sessions, prospective candidates of the continent’s premier multilateral financial institution share their strategic visions, priorities and agendas for the Bank. In this extensive dossier, the eight candidates indicate their suitability for this momentous job and the credentials required to lead Africa’s most prominent development institution.
In this must read issue, we hear from the eight candidates, speaking candidly and openly about their ambitions for the bank. There are 8 contenders vying for the Presidency, 5 of them currently serving as Ministers, one former Minister and a Development Banking specialist.
Akinwumi A. Adesina, Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, feels that his experience in transforming the agricultural sector in Nigeria, as well as his first experience working and operating in various African countries will keep him in good stead. His vision is based on continuing decentralisation and increasing support for private initiatives.
Having overseen Ethiopia’s strong growth into one of Africa’s leading economies, Sufian Ahmed, the country’s Finance Minister believes the AfDB will be safe in his experienced hands.
The Former Minister Finance of Tunisia, Jaloul Ayed, asserts that his banking experience has allowed him to gain a clear understanding of Africa’s full potential. He calls for an AfDB that is closer to its markets.
Chad’s Minister of Finance and Budget, Kordjé Bedoumra, states that following his previous tenure at the AfDB, he has the experience and expertise to improve operational efficiency of the Bank as well as shape its short and long term policies.
The only female candidate in the running is Cristina Duarte, Minister of Finance and Planning, Cabo Verde. She says that whatever improvements need to be made, the AfDB can never forget its mission – that is to serve Africa and its people.
With his broad experience in a number of financial institutions Samura M. W. Kamara, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation believes that he is the right person to ensure the AfDB works for Africa.
The former AfDB vice president, Zimbabwe’s Thomas Z. Sakala, has plenty of experience working at the AfDB, and believes he is well suited to keep the Bank’s programmes and strategies on the right track.
And last but not least, Birama Boubacar Sidibé, the Malian Vice President of the Islamic Bank of Development says that with his wealth of experience in African development institutions, he intends to make the AfDB more efficient in its decentralised organisation and expand its business operations.
