Abidjan: The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has described the legacy of the former President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, as a source of pride for Nigeria and the African continent. The Director-General of the WTO, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, made the remark in a video message delivered to AfDB shareholders and delegates at the closing session of the bank’s Annual Meetings held in Abidjan, C´te d’Ivoire.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the DG commended Adesina for a decade of transformative leadership that significantly elevated the bank’s standing and contributed meaningfully to Africa’s development agenda. ‘President Akinwumi Adesina is leaving behind a strong legacy of leadership and service. Nigerians and all Africans should be proud,’ the WTO chief said.
Recalling their time together in the cabinet of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Okonjo-Iweala noted Adesina’s pioneering efforts in agriculture, especially his introduction of the digital wallet system to empower women farmers. She highlighted his success in reaching an additional two million women farmers, which she attributed to his passionate leadership.
The WTO boss praised the growth of the AfDB’s capital base under Adesina’s leadership from 93 billion to 318 billion dollars, describing it as a remarkable achievement. She also commended Adesina’s ‘High 5s’ agenda, a strategic framework focused on transforming key sectors across the continent, emphasizing its importance for Africa’s Agenda 2063.
Okonjo-Iweala urged African nations to take greater ownership of their development and turn growing international interest in the continent into concrete investment opportunities. She lauded the African Investment Forum, an initiative launched by Adesina to bring infrastructure and development projects to bankable stages, complementary to the WTO’s efforts in promoting economic integration in Africa.
Okonjo-Iweala further thanked African leaders, shareholders, and the bank staff for their support during Adesina’s tenure. She paid a special tribute to Adesina’s wife, Grace, for her steadfast support over the past 10 years. Adesina, who assumed office in 2015, is completing his second five-year term as President of the African Development Bank.
