Mnangagwa praises Akinwumi Adesina

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has congratulated Dr Akinwumi Adesina for his outstanding leadership at the helm of the African Development Bank (AfDB), marking the end of his decade-long tenure as president. In a statement issued yesterday, President Mnangagwa lauded Dr Adesina for his dedication to Africa's growth, resilience, and transformation.

The President highlighted Dr Adesina's unwavering commitment to Africa's development, which has reignited hope and confidence in the continent's ability to leverage its natural resources for sustainable growth.

"On behalf of the people and Government of Zimbabwe, and indeed on my own behalf, I congratulate the untiring son of Africa and ‘Africa's Optimist-in-Chief', Dr Akinwumi Adesina, for the 10 years of exceptional leadership as President of the African Development Bank Group," President Mnangagwa said. "In his 10 years of astute and steadfast service to our continent and the peoples of Africa, Dr Adesina has made us shift our perspectives towards the meaning of development finance. He reignited, among us, a new sense of hope and confidence in what we can achieve as an African people, leveraging our resources."

President Mnangagwa noted Dr Adesina's instrumental role in shaping the African Development Bank into a globally respected institution, becoming a partner of choice for development finance. Under Dr Adesina's leadership, the AfDB not only advanced the continent's economic growth but also championed green growth, food security, climate-smart infrastructure, and energy access for millions of Africans.

"Under his leadership, the Bank's flagship, Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) was launched, delivering climate-smart and weather-resilient staple seeds to more than 40 million smallholder farmers across 30 countries. This initiative is set to increase food production by an additional 120 million tonnes by the end of 2025," President Mnangagwa said.

The President also applauded Dr Adesina's pivotal role in Zimbabwe's economic recovery efforts. In 2022, Dr Adesina was appointed as the Champion of Zimbabwe's arrears clearance and debt resolution process, a responsibility he carried out with exceptional dedication, facilitating constructive dialogue and improving the country's international engagement.

As an agro-based economy, Zimbabwe has benefited significantly from Dr Adesina's expertise in agriculture, which has been crucial in the drive to transform Africa's rural farmlands into regions of prosperity.

"Zimbabwe has benefitted immensely from Dr Adesina's agricultural credentials. His mission to transform Africa's rural farmlands aligns with our own goals to strengthen our agricultural sector and improve the livelihoods of our farmers," said President Mnangagwa.

The President urged future generations, especially the youth and women, to draw inspiration from Dr Adesina's passion for Africa's development. He called on Africans to work together to achieve a modernised and industrialised continent that is food and energy secure, peaceful, and independent.

"Through unity, hard work, innovation, and resilience, we can realise a modern and industrialised Africa, that is truly food and energy secure, peaceful and independent," President Mnangagwa concluded.

Dr Adesina's leadership has transformed the African Development Bank into a global champion of inclusive growth, helping Africa take its place on the world stage as a continent with immense potential and opportunity.

"Congratulations once again, Your Excellency, Dr Adesina, for your exceptional leadership during your tenure at the helm of the African Development Bank. I wish you continued success in the years ahead," President Mnangagwa said.

Dr Adesina, a World Food Prize laureate, has played a pivotal role in attracting global investment and spearheading innovative development strategies since taking office in 2015. His tenure has positioned Africa as a key player in the global economy, contributing to the continent's ongoing transformation.