By Jimoh Babatunde

 The President of the African Development, Dr. Akinkunmi Adesina, has described the award of the “African of the Decade” as a testament to what is possible in the transformative power of Africa’s potential.

The African Development Bank Group President received the distinguished honor at the just concluded Africa Investment Forum in Rabat, marking a defining moment in the history of the All-Africa Business Leaders Awards.

Speaking after receiving the award accompanied by his wife Mrs Grace Yemisi Adesina, Dr. Adesina said “I dedicate this recognition to the resilient people of Africa and all those working tirelessly to advance the continent’s development.”

While expressing his gratitude for the honour, Adesina said “God did not make a mistake when he made me an African…and I will do all I can, to my final breath, for Africa.”
The prestigious award, introduced by the ABN Group in collaboration with CNBC Africa, honors individuals who have made a lasting and profound impact on the continent.
Dr. Adesina, who will conclude his 10-year tenure as head of the African Development Bank Group next year, is widely celebrated for his visionary leadership and achievements in improving the lives of millions across Africa.
ABN Group Chairman Rakesh Wahi presented the award to Dr. Adesina during the 2024 Africa Investment Forum in Rabat, Morocco.
In the citation read by CNBC Africa Chief Editor Godfrey Mutizwa, the awards committee praised Adesina for his unwavering commitment to ethical and responsible leadership and his ability to drive meaningful change across Africa, particularly through the Bank’s High5 strategic priorities.

“Dr. Adesina has demonstrated a significant impact on the African continent through innovative solutions, projects, or initiatives that address the continent’s pressing socio-economic and environmental challenges.
“He has consistently shown leadership, vision, and dedication, driving positive change in sustainable development in Africa,” Wahi said.
The awards committee highlighted Adesina’s innovative collaborations, including leading the African Development Bank in a groundbreaking partnership with the World Bank to provide electricity access to 300 million Africans.
The award also recognizes Adesina’s earlier role as Nigeria’s Agriculture Minister.
“Over ten years ago, Dr. Akinmumi Adesina’s impactful tenure as Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture revolutionized the country’s agro-industrial value chains and transformed the lives of millions of small-holder farmers,” Wahi stated.
Under Adesina’s tenure, Nigeria ended 40 years of corruption in the fertilizer sector by developing and implementing an innovative electronic wallet system, which directly provides farmers with subsidized farm inputs at scale using their mobile phones.
Since assuming leadership of the African Development Bank in 2015, Adesina, a World Food Prize laureate, has been instrumental in attracting global investment, championed innovative development strategies, and consistently positioned Africa as a continent of immense potential and opportunity.