Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire – The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) marked its 60th anniversary on Monday with a ceremony that celebrated the institution’s significant contributions to Africa’s development. The event, held at the Hôtel Ivoire in Abidjan, featured a keynote address by the Bank’s President and Chairman of the Boards of Directors, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina.
Adesina paid tribute to the AfDB’s staff, commending their dedication and hard work over the past six decades. He highlighted the institution’s role in improving the lives of millions of Africans through its various development projects. “Over the last eight years, our work has transformed the lives of 400 million people,” Adesina said.
The Bank President also acknowledged the challenges faced by AfDB staff working in fragile contexts, such as Somalia and Sudan. He expressed his admiration for their courage and commitment to Africa’s development.
In his address, Adesina emphasized the importance of attracting and retaining top talent to meet the AfDB’s future challenges. He also expressed his gratitude to the Bank’s staff for their contributions to the institution’s success.
The celebration was attended by hundreds of AfDB staff, both current and former, as well as government officials and other stakeholders. Adama Coulibaly, Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Finance and the Budget, representing the country’s Minister of Planning, the Economy and Development, reaffirmed the Ivorian government’s commitment to supporting the AfDB in achieving its operational priorities.
The AfDB was established in 1964 with a capital of $250 million. Today, it has a capital base of $318 billion and has funded over 6,575 projects across the African continent.
