The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has praised the legacy of African Development Bank (AfDB) President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, describing it as a source of pride for Nigeria and the African continent.
Okonjo-Iweala said this in a statement by the AfDB on Thursday.
She 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, Côte d’Ivoire.
“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.
“I challenged him to reach an additional one to two million women farmers, promising performance-based budget support. He delivered, reaching two million more.
“That’s the kind of leader Akin is. He brought uncommon passion to his work and made a difference to the lives of farmers in the country.
“His leadership has significantly raised the profile of the AfDB to a new height of recognition and respectability,” she said.
Okonjo-Iweala, who was Nigeria’s Minister of Finance in 2015, led the campaign that resulted in Adesina’s election as AfDB President.
Okonjo-Iweala commended Adesina’s decade-long leadership, which significantly elevated the AfDB’s standing and contributed to Africa’s development agenda.
-She highlighted Adesina’s pioneering efforts in agriculture, particularly the introduction of the digital wallet system to empower women farmers.
The WTO chief noted the remarkable growth of the AfDB’s capital base from $93 billion to $318 billion under Adesina’s leadership.
Okonjo-Iweala praised Adesina’s strategic framework, which focuses on transforming key sectors across the continent, saying it remains critical to achieving Africa’s Agenda 2063.
She lauded the forum, a flagship initiative launched by Adesina, which complements the WTO’s efforts to promote economic integration and development in Africa.
Okonjo-Iweala described Adesina as a leader who brought uncommon passion to his work, making a difference in the lives of farmers and significantly raising the profile of the AfDB.
She thanked African leaders, shareholders, and Bank staff for their support and paid a special tribute to Adesina’s wife, Grace, for her steadfast support over the past decade
Adesina, who assumed office in 2015, is completing his second five-year term as President of the African Development Bank.
