African Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina has won re-election for a second five-year term.
The election took place electronically on Thursday at the virtual annual general meeting of the bank.The re-election, in which he was the sole candidate.
The AfDB is currently holding its 55th Annual Meetings in Côte d’Ivoire virtually, due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Adesina’s re-election was mired in controversy after he was charged with alleged ethical violations.
However, after repeated investigations, the former Nigerian Agriculture Minister was cleared of all charges levelled against him, paving the way for his re-election.
The head of the African bank had on Wednesday made a last minute pitch for his re-election saying that he wanted to fulfil “his sense of duty and commitment.
In a speech at the AfDB’s annual meetings, Adesina formally requested a second term as president saying that his current term was marked by the implementation of five strategic priorities for the continent’s development, known as the “High 5s.”
Five years ago, right here in Abidjan, you elected me president of the African Development Bank. It was a huge responsibility to shoulder. I promised that I would work tirelessly to accelerate Africa’s development. My vision, focused on the High 5 priorities, was my commitment, my promise, my compass,” Adesina said during a virtual session at the start of the Bank’s 2020 Annual Meetings.
“Time has passed so quickly,” he
added, citing the Bank’s achievements in the five years of his presidency.
Some 18 million additional people now have access to electricity, 141 million people have received more advanced agricultural technology to improve food security, 15 million people have access to financing, 101 million now have access to improved transport, and 60 million people have gained access to water and sanitation, Adesina argued.
“Dear Governors, these Annual Meetings are my opportunity to offer you my services and seek a second term as President of the African Development Bank,” he said. “I do so with humility. I do so with an acute sense of duty and commitment. I do so to serve Africa and our Bank.”
