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Tag: Dr. Akinwumi Adesina

  • Tanzania celebrates AfDB President Akinwumi Adesina’s impactful legacy

    Tanzania celebrates AfDB President Akinwumi Adesina’s impactful legacy

    The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania has honoured the outgoing President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, describing him as “a visionary leader, a tireless son of Africa who has dedicated his life to transform the narrative of the continent.”

    President Samia Suluhu Hassan praised Adesina’s vital role in the development of her country’s economy, singling out large-scale infrastructure projects financed by the Bank.

    During his two-day visit to Tanzania, Adesina was invited on a tour of some of the Bank-financed infrastructure projects that are transforming Tanzania’s economy and strengthening its regional and international roles.

    This includes a new international airport and a major highway that encircles the administrative capital of Dodoma.

    The Tanzanian leader highlighted projects in other sectors, such as agriculture and energy, that are financed by the Bank.

    “This is in addition to the construction of a modern Standard Gauge Railway line that will link Tanzania to Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo,” said President Suluhu Hassan.

    The African Development Bank Group has invested $9 billion in Tanzania since it started its operations in the country in 1971. Total financial support over the last 10 years under Adesina’s leadership stands at $4.73 billion, equivalent to 53% of the Bank’s lending to Tanzania over the past 54 years.

    “On behalf of the people of Tanzania, I express our gratitude to the African Development Bank for being a dependable partner of our country’s development journey,” the Tanzanian President said.

    Referencing the Bank’s transformative impact, Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan told Adesina, “Your visionary leadership has brought significant socio-economic change to Tanzania and across Africa.”

    Suluhu, at the same time, announced she had accepted a recommendation by the Ministry of Works to rename the Dodoma Outer Ring Road as the Dr Akinwumi Adesina Road.

    The Bank provided $138 million in funding for the project, with an additional $42 million from the Africa Growing Together Fund and $34.69 million from the Government of Tanzania.

    Adesina was accompanied by his wife, Grace Yemisi Adesina.

    Mauritania’s Sidi Ould Tah is the incoming president of the African Development Bank group.

  • UN Women launches Women’s Economic Empowerment Strategy

    UN Women launches Women’s Economic Empowerment Strategy

    The UN Women on Sunday launched its comprehensive Women’s Economic Empowerment Strategy aimed at accelerating gender equality and fostering inclusive economic growth during the first side event on the margins of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) Annual meetings.

    UN Women’s Economic Empowerment Strategy is designed to empower women through targeted initiatives that enhance their access to resources, opportunities, and leadership roles in the economy.

    The strategy prioritizes three key areas essential for achieving gender equality: women and the world of work, gender-responsive climate action, and transforming care systems. These are underpinned by promoting gender-responsive macroeconomic policies, addressing discriminatory social norms, and increasing financing for gender equality.

    Speaking during the launch, Sarah Hendriks, UN Women’s Director of Policy, Programme and Intergovernmental Division noted that the strategy articulates the UN Women’s vision and priorities as an organization and ways of working to support women to thrive and economies to prosper.

    “Women’s economic empowerment is not just a matter of social justice; it is an economic imperative. By unlocking the potential of women, we can drive sustainable development and foster resilient economies,” she said.

    The side event also fostered dialogue between UN Women, the African Development Bank Group, and other key partners which aim to drive transformative solutions for women’s economic empowerment at the local, national, and global level, ensuring no woman is left behind.

    Attended by key stakeholders, including government officials, civil society leaders, private sector representatives, and international development partners, the event underscored the importance of a coordinated approach to fostering gender equality.

    In their Ten-year Strategy (2024-2033) to be launched on Thursday and its 2021-2025 Gender Strategy the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) prioritizes gender equality, placing women’s empowerment at the heart of the strategy.

    This focus translates into real results: through AFAWA, the Bank approved $1.7 billion for women entrepreneurs across 43 countries, a tenfold increase in investments towards women-owned and led businesses. With over 18,000 women entrepreneurs already benefiting, and over 75% of sovereign operations assessed using a gender lens approach in 2023, the Bank demonstrates its unwavering commitment to women’s economic empowerment.

    “The Bank is committed to implement policies that promote gender equality, eliminate gender-based violence, as well as discrimination across Africa. We must listen and amplify the voices of women, while ensuring that Africa’s women have equal opportunity. Empowering African women is a moral imperative – as well as smart economics” said Dr. Beth Dunford, Vice President, Agriculture, Human and Social Development, African Development Bank Group.

    UN Women also announced Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the Africa Development Bank as a HeForShe Champion. HeForShe is a solidarity movement inviting men and people of all genders to stand in solidarity with women to create a bold, visible and united force for gender equality.

    The Bank joins the HeForShe Alliance to continue spearheading transformative change toward achieving a gender-equal world.