From 2015 to 2025, Akinwumi Adesina led the AfDB with a results-driven approach. More than 550 million lives are being transformed across the continent. Billions of dollars are being injected into agriculture, energy, health, water and infrastructure. With just a few months to go before the end of his mandate, the man outlines the contours of an Africa that lives up to its ambitions.
Taking stock of a decade of strategy, investment, and impact. At the 38th Ordinary Session of the African Union, Akinwumi Adesina, outgoing President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), provided a statistical overview of his ten years at the helm of the institution. Under his leadership, more than 550 million people have been directly impacted by the Bank’s projects, including 231 million women. Data reveals that 127 million people now have access to better healthcare, 61 million to clean water, 33 million to improved sanitation, 46 million to ICT services, and 45 million to electricity.
Electricity is our main problem, and that’s why we organized the African Development Bank and the World Bank’s Mission 300 to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030.
Akinwumi Adesina, President of the AfDB
On the infrastructure side, $55 billion has been invested over a decade. Africa 50, an investment lever, has mobilized more than $1 billion, while the Green Infrastructure Alliance has raised $10 billion. In the agricultural sector, 101 million people have achieved food security, thanks to $72 billion directed toward agribusiness delivery pacts. In health, the AfDB has committed $6 billion to improve hospital infrastructure and boost local pharmaceutical production.
We have become the largest multilateral financier of infrastructure in Africa. We created Africa 50, which has raised over $1 billion, and the Green Infrastructure Alliance, which has mobilized $10 billion in investment for green infrastructure.
Akinwumi Adesina, President of the AfDB
The Africa Investment Forum passes the USD 200 billion mark in investment pledges, while a $20 billion refinancing mechanism is implemented to alleviate African debt. Boosted by a tripling of its capital, which now stands at $318 billion while retaining its triple-A rating, the institution is also focusing on economic inclusion. The AFAWA program has unlocked $2.5 billion for 24,000 women-owned businesses. In the same vein, investment banks dedicated to young entrepreneurs have been set up, illustrating an ambition to see Africa driven by its youth. As September 2025 approaches, the date on which Adesina will hand over the reins, he leaves a consolidated institution, but the challenge of converting growth into shared prosperity remains considerable.
