Jide Oyekunle
The African Development Bank President, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina has been conferred with the Prestigious 2025 Distinguished Economic Leader Award bythe America鈥檚 Corporate Council on Africa .The America鈥檚 Corporate Council on Africa has hailed what it described as a decade of transformative action in the African Development Bank under the leadership of its outgoing President, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina in which the Bank had carried out developmental projects in critical sectors of the economies of member countries of the Bank.
Deputy Chairman of the Council, Jean Raymond Boulle made the commendation while bestowing its prestigious 2025 Distinguished Economic Leader Award upon the African Development Bank President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, in recognition of his decade-long leadership, transforming Africa鈥檚 development trajectory and improving the lives of over 565 million people across the African continent.
In a statement made available to journalists, Boulle highlighted how the African Development Bank has transformed into a globally respected institution and partner of choice under Adesina鈥檚 leadership, delivering measurable results across Africa.
鈥淭oday, we celebrate Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, who as the president of the African Development Bank for the past decade, has advanced the Bank in transforming critical sectors to develop Africa through the Bank鈥檚 High 5s development priorities (Feed Africa, Light up Africa, Industrialise Africa, Integrate Africa, and Improve the Quality of Life for the people of Africa),鈥 said Boulle.
The prestigious recognition was conferred upon the president on Monday 24 June at the opening ceremony of the high-profile U.S.-Africa Business Summit, which drew 2,000 delegates including government and business leaders alongside distinguished delegates, including seven Heads of State, multiple Prime Ministers, the diplomatic community, and leaders from key regional organizations.
According to Boulle; 鈥淭he African Development Bank鈥檚 signature High 5s initiative, spearheaded by Dr. Adesina, has delivered a measurable impact across the continent, positively transforming the lives of more than 565 million people. This ambitious framework aligns strategically with the United Nations鈥 Sustainable Development Goals, demonstrating Africa鈥檚 commitment to global development objectives.
As Dr. Adesina approaches the completion of his second and final five-year presidential term on August 31, the Corporate Council on Africa said his decade-long tenure has been marked by catalyzing groundbreaking projects across the Bank鈥檚 five strategic priorities while successfully mobilizing unprecedented levels of investment for African development.
Boulle emphasized that 鈥淎frica鈥檚 economic trajectory has been revamped, making it a more attractive destination for businesses, as well as ensuring stronger trade鈥nsuring mutual prosperity for the people of Africa, and increased partnerships, including with the United States.鈥
In accepting the award, Dr. Adesina expressed deep appreciation for the recognition and reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to further expanding his engagement to advance Africa鈥檚 development endeavors, signaling continued dedication to the continent鈥檚 progress beyond his current tenure.