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Kenya’s President Ruto awards African Development Bank’s Adesina highest national honour
(Source: African Development Bank)Kenya’s President H.E. William Samoei Ruto has conferred the country’s highest honour, Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart CGH, on the President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr Akinwumi Adesina.Dr Adesina becomes the 20th recipient of the honour that was established in 1967 and first awarded to Kenya’s founding father and former President, H.E. Jomo Kenyatta. Others include globally renowned leaders such as former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, South Africa’s Nelson Mandela, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni and Kenya’s subsequent Presidents Daniel arap Moi, Mwai Kibaki, Uhuru Kenyatta and Dr Ruto.Dr. Akinwumi Adesina receives the prestigious honor of the Chief of the Order of Golden Heart from Kenyan President Dr. William Samoei Ruto. During a colourful investiture ceremony at Nairobi’s State House, President Ruto praised Dr Adesina’s distinguished service, commitment, and passion for the economic development of Kenya and Africa.President Ruto congratulated Adesina and told him, “You are amazing. You are a great leader. You deserve this honour and investiture.” The two leaders share a warm relationship that dates back 20 years when Adesina lived and worked in Kenya for the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa, AGRA. At that time Ruto was Kenya’s Minister for Agriculture. Both recalled how they worked together to provide subsidies to farmers despite opposition at the time from some donors and global financial institutions.President Ruto said under his presidency he has continued with the same policy of offering subsidies to farmers, leading to an increase in the country’s food production. “Our maize production increased from 40 million to 70 million bags last year. Our sales from tea, generated more than 220 billion shillings [approximately $1.7 billion], the highest ever earnings.” “I am proud of the journey we started together ten years ago; I can see its fruits. Kenyans can feel its benefits,” President Ruto told Adesina who was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Grace Yemisi Adesina. “I am proud of the journey we started together ten years ago; I can see its fruits. Kenyans can feel its benefits,” President Ruto told Adesina who was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Grace Yemisi Adesina. In its citation, the Kenya government recognized Adesina as a distinguished economist and a global development leader.The Bank’s support for the private sector in Kenya includes over $700 million in lines of credit to more than eight commercial banks.President Ruto said the Bank’s support to the country’s mortgage sector has boosted the government’s national housing programme, with 150,000 houses under construction, generating jobs for 260, 000 youth.“Dr Adesina transformed the African Development Bank into a globally recognized institution for financial innovation and development impact and under his leadership, the Bank’s general capital grew from $93 billion to $318 billion.” Speaking about Kenya’s high youth unemployment, Adesina pointed to several youth riots that shook the country last year.In addition to providing $309 million for eight on-going projects targeting skills development, Adesina said the Bank is preparing for Board approval, financial support for the establishment of a Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank of Kenya. “This will be a stand-alone financial institution, that will be 100 percent dedicated to providing technical assistance, debt and equity financing for youth businesses in Kenya.”
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- 24 March 2025
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FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirms 2026 World Cup final will feature a Super Bowl-style hal...
(Source:MSN)FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed that the 2026 World Cup final will feature a half-time show inspired by American football\'s Super Bowl. The tournament - which will be the biggest in World Cup history as will feature 48 national teams, instead of 32 - will conclude at New Jersey\'s 82,500-capacity MetLife Stadium on July 19.Writing on Instagram on Wednesday morning, Infantino said that \'a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world\' will take place after the first 45 minutes of the game. Infantino also revealed that British pop rock band Coldplay would be collaborating with FIFA to help attract and select the musical performers.It is not currently clear whether the half-time interval will be elongated to accommodate the show.Infantino\'s message read: \'It was my pleasure to speak with friends and colleagues attending the FIFA World Cup 26: FIFA Commercial & Media Partners Convention in Dallas, where we discussed some very exciting plans for the biggest-ever FIFA World Cup in 2026. I can confirm the first ever half-time show at a FIFA World Cup final in New York New Jersey, in association with Global Citizen. This will be a historic moment for the FIFA World Cup and a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world. We also spoke about how FIFA will takeover Times Square for the final weekend of the FIFA World Cup in 2026, during both the bronze final match and final. These will be two incredible matches, featuring some of the best players in the world, and what better way to celebrate them than in the historic Times Square in New York City. My thanks of course to Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans and his incredible team, for helping us put together these amazing shows. I also want to thank Chris Martin and Phil Harvey of Coldplay, who will be working with us at FIFA to finalise the list of artists who will perform during the half time show, as well as at Times Square.\'
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- 12 March 2025
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African Union Summit: African Development Bank President Highlights a Decade of Economic Transfor...
(Source: African Development Bank Group)African Development Bank Group President Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, delivered a compelling farewell address to Heads of State and Government at the 38th African Union Summit, highlighting a decade of remarkable achievements by the Bank in driving Africa’s economic transformation. Adesina’s participation at the august continental gathering in Addis Ababa ended on a high note as African leaders considered and endorsed four Bank-led initiatives including the drive to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030, measuring Africa’s green wealth as part of its GDP, an innovative facility to provide Africa with a financial buffer and a roadmap for the continent to achieve inclusive growth and rapid sustainable development.Adesina, who is also the Chairman of the Group’s Boards of Directors, underscored the impact of the Bank’s High 5s Agenda—Light up and Power Africa, Feed Africa, Industrialize Africa, Integrate Africa, and Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa—which has impacted more than half a billion lives across the continent.“It has been an unprecedented partnership to advance the goal of the African Union towards achieving Agenda 2063: the Africa we want,” said Adesina who in February 2022, became the first president of the Bank Group to address the AU Summit.During the final day of the assembly, several African governments and AU officials paid tribute to Dr. Adesina for his exceptional leadership of the Bank and strong global advocacy for Africa, He ends his tenure as the Bank Group’s president on 1st September 2025.African Development Bank Group President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, who is also the Chairman of the Group’s Boards of Directors, underscored the impact of the Bank’s operations, which have impacted more than half a billion lives over the past decade.Reflecting on his tenure at the helm of the African Development Bank, Dr. Adesina said the Bank has transformed 515 million lives, including 231 million women, over the past decade:127 million people gained access to better services in terms of health.61 million people gained access to clean water.33 million people benefited from improved sanitation.46 million people gained access to ICT services, and25 million people gained access to electricity.With a strong focus on job creation, the Bank has trained 1.7 million youth in digital skills and is rolling out Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Banks to drive youth-led economic growth. “Our goal is simple: create youth-based wealth across Africa,” Adesina reiterated.Additionally, the Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) initiative has provided $2.5 billion in financing to over 24,000 women-owned businesses, said Adesina.“The African Development Bank accelerated food production in Africa. Over 101 million people became food secure. We mobilized $72 billion to implement the food and agriculture delivery compacts across the continent,” said Dr. Adesina.Over the past decade, the African Development Bank has invested over $55 billion in infrastructure, making it the largest multilateral financier of African infrastructure.The Bank has also prioritized healthcare, committing $3 billion in quality healthcare infrastructure and another $3 billion for pharmaceutical development, including establishing the Africa Pharmaceutical Technology Foundation.Under Adesina’s presidency, the Bank achieved its largest-ever capital increase, growing from $93 billion in 2015 to $318 billion currently. The most recent replenishment of the African Development Fund, the Bank Group’s concessional window, raised a record $8.9 billion for Africa’s 37 low-income countries, setting the stage for a target of $25 billion for its upcoming 17th replenishment.The Africa Investment Forum, a joint effort with eight other partner institutions, has also mobilized over $200 billion in investment commitments, reinforcing Africa as a leading investment destination.The Africa Investment Forum, a joint effort with eight other partner institutions, has mobilized over $200 billion in infrastructure investment commitments. (Picture: Africa Investment Forum Founding Partners and other officials during the Opening Session of the Africa Investment Forum 2024 Market Days, Rabat, 4 December 2024.)As he bade farewell, the outgoing Bank chief expressed gratitude to the African Heads of State, the African Union Commission, regional economic communities, and the people of Africa for their unwavering support.“As today will be my final attendance of the AU Summit as President of the African Development Bank, I would like to use this opportunity to immensely thank your Excellencies Heads of State and Government for your extraordinary support over the past ten years. I am very grateful for your always being there for the African Development Bank—your Bank. I am very grateful for your kindness, friendship, and partnership as we forged global alliances to advance the continent’s interest around the world,” he said.
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- 12 March 2025
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Kigali and Lagos, Are You Ready to Earn Tickets to Move Afrika?
(Source : Global Citizen)We’re excited to announce that EGOT-winning, critically acclaimed, multiplatinum artist and producer, John Legend will headline the 2025 edition of Move Afrika. “I’m honored and excited to perform in Kigali and Lagos as part of the Move Afrika tour — an initiative that not only brings unforgettable shows, but also creates entrepreneurship and job opportunities, empowering young people to engage with Africa’s growing music and creative industries,” said John Legend. “Africa has always been a global cultural powerhouse, and it’s an honor to be part of the future of live music on the continent.”.Yes, you read that right — John Legend is joining the Move Afrika tour, and we couldn’t be more thrilled! This year, Move Afrika is turning up the energy, expanding from East to West Africa with stops in Rwanda and Nigeria. The first stop? The iconic BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda, on February 21, before heading to the vibrant city of Lagos, Nigeria at The Palms on February 25, 2025. Get ready for an unforgettable celebration of music, impact, and unity across the continent!“We’re thrilled to have John Legend, our longtime Global Citizen Ambassador and friend headline Move Afrika, as we expand the tour from Rwanda to Nigeria,” said Hugh Evans, Co-Founder & CEO of Global Citizen. “As Move Afrika grows year over year, our goal is to equip and inspire Africa’s dynamic, young population to participate in the live music and creative industries, while investing in its future with lasting infrastructure that will mean the continent no longer needs to be excluded from the international touring circuit.”We see you clicking your feet, ready to turn up. But before you lace up those kicks, here are some important things you need to know!What is Move Afrika?Move Afrika is Global Citizen’s initiative to create job and entrepreneurship opportunities, and enhance health systems for the continent’s emerging generations through an annual series of live music events. This first-of-its-kind music touring circuit brings together the hottest African and international artists.You might be wondering why we’re doing this. These electrifying events are more than just shows — they’re a catalyst to drive transformative investments and change. By engaging local artists, vendors, agencies and crews, we’re driving investments into local communities and creating opportunities for on-the-job training and skill development. But here’s where you come in: together, we can inspire government leaders, businesses, philanthropists, artists, and citizens to take action. Whether it’s through posting, tweeting, messaging, voting or signing, every action counts in driving the change the world urgently needs.
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- 3 February 2025
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AfDB President Adesina receives ‘African of the Decade Award’
(Source : The Independent)This prestigious award, presented by Rakesh Wahi, Chairman of the ABN Group, is given to individuals who have made a lasting impact on Africa’s socio-economic development. The citation, read by CNBC Africa’s Editor-in-Chief Godfrey Mutizwa, praised Dr. Adesina for his ethical leadership and innovative solutions to Africa’s pressing challenges, particularly through the AfDB’s High 5 strategic priorities. These priorities—lighting up and powering Africa, integrating the continent, and improving the quality of life for Africans—have defined his tenure.As Dr. Adesina approaches the end of his 10-year tenure as President of the AfDB in 2025, he has played a pivotal role in transforming Africa’s development landscape. Under his leadership, the AfDB has attracted global investments and improved the lives of millions. Notably, the bank’s projects have provided electricity to 18 million people, enhanced agricultural technology for 14 million farmers, and expanded access to finance, transportation, and sanitation for millions.His leadership in collaboration with the World Bank to provide electricity to 300 million Africans has further solidified his legacy. Additionally, as Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture, Adesina played a crucial role in revolutionizing the country\'s agricultural sector by implementing an innovative electronic wallet system for farmers.During his presidency, the AfDB maintained its AAA rating for five consecutive years, committed $7.6 billion to support low-income countries, and launched a $3 billion COVID-19 social bond. These achievements underscore his dedication to Africa’s growth and resilience.Dr. Adesina expressed his gratitude and dedicated the award to the people of Africa, reaffirming his unwavering commitment to the continent. He stated, \"It was no mistake that God made me African, and I will do everything I can for Africa until my last breath.\"
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- 3 February 2025
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Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon becomes first Korean to receive Mongolia's highest medal,...
DongA2024.11.04(Source : DongA)The Mongolian Presidential Office announced on the 2nd (local time) that it had awarded former Secretary-General Ban the Order of Chinggis Khan at the Mongolian Pride Day ceremony held at the government building in Ulaanbaatar. The day also marked the 862nd anniversary of the birth of Genghis Khan.The Order of Chinggis Khan is awarded to domestic and foreign politicians and social activists who have contributed to global prosperity and peace, the development of Mongolia’s foreign relations, and enhancing its international reputation. Ban is the first Korean to receive this award. He is the second foreigner to receive the award, following American Mongolian scholar Weatherford. The Mongolian Presidential Office explained the background of the award, saying, “Former Secretary-General Ban played a key role in promoting high-level ‘strategic partnership’ cooperation between Mongolia and Korea, and laid the foundation for strengthening relations between the two countries.”Mongolian President Khurelsukh said at the award ceremony, “It is very rare for a foreigner to receive our country’s highest national decoration,” adding, “Selecting Ban as the recipient of the Order of Genghis Khan is an expression of our high respect for his achievements in uniting the international community.” He continued, “I express my deepest gratitude for his contributions to expanding and strengthening cooperation between Mongolia and the United Nations, and supporting Mongolia’s social and economic development.”In 2006, Ban accompanied former President Roh Moo-hyun on his state visit to Mongolia as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade. With Roh’s visit, the two countries upgraded their mutually complementary cooperative relationship established in 1999 to a good-neighborly, friendly, and cooperative partnership. Former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also visited Mongolia as UN Secretary-General in 2009. The Ban Ki-moon Foundation for a Better Future, which he founded, has supported the Trans-Altai Sustainability Dialogue in cooperation with Stanford University in the United States since 2022, and hosted the Mongolia Future Strategy Forum in Seoul and Mongolia last year and this year.
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- 21 January 2025
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Ban Ki-moon, Forum in Seoul sheds light on future global challenges
Nate2024.11.22(Source : Nate)SEOUL, November 22 (AJP) - The annual conference hosted by the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) was held in central Seoul on Friday, bringing together political and business leaders from across Asia.Participants discussed diverse global challenges under the theme of \"Towards a Shared Future\" at the conference, chaired by former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.Also on the agenda were artificial intelligence, sustainable development, and the roles of women and youth in shaping the future.
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- 21 January 2025
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Speech Delivered by Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, President and Chairman, Boards of Directors, “Meas...
Afdb13.11.2024(source : Afdb) Today, several African countries are giving away their vast amounts of land to carbon credits. While this may generate some short-term financing, it needs to be understood that Africa is a carbon price taker and therefore is short-changed. While the price of carbon in Europe is high and could be as high as $200 per ton because of the strict EU Emission Trading Standards, carbon price in Africa could be as low as $3 to $10 per ton.The proper valuation of Africa’s green wealth will increase access to financial flows, in part because credit ratings agencies will be able to incorporate the true value of overall asset class, which in turn could improve countries’ risk profile.Therefore, it is time for Africa’s green environmental assets to be properly priced to allow the continent to turn its massive green assets into wealth, through their inclusion in “green’ GDP for Africa. This will raise massive financial resources for the continent, spur greater green investments and provide better policies for the greening of African economies for sustainable development. The significantly higher revenues that Africa will generate from the proper valuation of its carbon sinks and environmental services will also allow it to be able to service its debts, assuring debt sustainability.
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- 21 January 2025
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Sarah Gilbert, UCL Prize Lecture: “It’s a very exciting time to be a vaccinologist”
UCL NEWS2024.11.14(Source:UCL NEWS)Leading UK scientist Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert, whose research team designed and developed one of the principal Covid-19 vaccines, helping save millions of lives, has delivered the 2024 UCL Prize Lecture in Life and Medical Sciences.It was launched in 1997 with previous recipients including Sir Demis Hassabis, founder of Google DeepMind and Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry 2024, Lord Patrick Vallance, former UK Chief Scientific Adviser, and Professor Jennifer Douda, pioneer of CRISPR gene editing, and Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry 2020.
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- 21 January 2025
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Maya Malarski Senior Manager of Policy, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance
Time2024.12.11(Source:Time)It’s becoming abundantly evident that with rising global temperatures comes increased health risks, be they from increased populations of disease-carrying mosquitoes and ticks or greater incidence of waterborne diseases like cholera from flooding. Now, for the first time, this reality is helping inform the vaccine alliance known as Gavi’s five-year investment strategy—which plays an impactful role in global health decision-making, guiding vaccine deployment around the world. Responsible for this push is Maya Malarski, a senior manager on Gavi\'s policy team who led the climate criteria for Gavi’s Vaccine Investment Strategy released this summer. Not only will this guidance help countries in adapting their immunization programs to climate change, it will also support the decarbonization of immunization efforts and Gavi’s own carbon footprint.Climate change and health are intricately linked. Outbreaks are likely to become increasingly common due to deforestation and loss of natural habitats as animals are being forced into closer contact with humans, increasing the risk of spillover of new pathogens that humans don’t have immunity against. With our current trajectory it’s a question of when, not if, the next pandemic will occur. We need to learn the lessons from COVID-19 and it’s imperative that countries reach an agreement on the Pandemic Treaty so that we are better prepared ahead of the next one and move towards climate justice.
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- 21 January 2025
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UNGA 79: UN Women honors African Development Bank Group President Adesina as HeForShe Champion
28 Sep, 2024African Development Bank Group(Source: One Page Africa)Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, was named a HeForShe Champion by UN Women for his contributions to promoting gender equality in Africa. This recognition was announced at a UN General Assembly side event in New York, where he was celebrated alongside other global leaders—Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans, and Movember CEO Michelle Terry—who have committed to institutional changes and setting new standards for gender equality.Dr. Adesina emphasized that “Africa can maximize its development potential when opportunities are exponentially expanded for women,” highlighting that gender equality and women’s empowerment are core priorities for AfDB. He also expressed a firm commitment to advancing gender equality and improving African women entrepreneurs\' access to funding.AfDB integrates gender considerations into all its investment projects and operations, tracking gender equality outcomes through gender-responsive indicators and a gender marker system. Under Dr. Adesina’s leadership, the bank’s gender strategy positions gender equality as a critical element of economic growth. By doing so, AfDB is setting new financial standards for gender equality, establishing a benchmark for international development finance institutions.AfDB\'s AFAWA (Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa) initiative has secured $1.8 billion in funding for women entrepreneurs, with $1 billion already disbursed through 172 financial institutions across 43 countries, supporting over 18,000 women-led SMEs. Additionally, AfDB has advanced its commitment to gender equality with the Economic Dividends for Gender Equality (EDGE) certification, recently achieving Level 1 certification to promote a fair workplace for both men and women.This HeForShe Champion award coincides with AfDB’s 25th anniversary of integrating gender mainstreaming into its operations and celebrates the 10th anniversary of the HeForShe initiative.Akinwumi Adesina is the recipient of the 3rd Sunhak Peace Prize.For more details about Adesina, please refer to the link below.↓↓↓Akinwumi Adesina
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- 29 October 2024
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African Development Bank at the 79th UN General Assembly #UNGA79
Yall AfricaOct, 2024(Source: UN)The world convened in New York at the end of September for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79). The African Development Bank Group president Akinwumi Adesina and his team were in New York to helm a major push to strengthen partnerships and generate more support and commitment from key stakeholders for Africa\'s development priorities.Adesina\'s packed UNGA itinerary included a closed-door meeting with UN Secretary General António Guterres and other multilateral development banks (MDBs) presidents to discuss accelerating progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.He also addressed the \"Summit of the Future\" meeting of the General Assembly and joined World Bank president Ajay Banga for the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) Leadership Council meeting for the official backing of the ambitious \"Mission 300\" (M300) initiative to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030.Please refer to the link below for more details.↓↓↓AfDB AllAfrica
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- 29 October 2024
- Sunhak Peace Prize
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Future generations refer not only to our own physical descendants
but also to all future generations to come.Since all decisions made by the current generation will either positively
or negatively affect them, we must take responsibility for our actions.
