Johannesburg, South Africa – A few days ago, a Pan-African conference on the electrification of the African continent was held in Dar es Salaam. The fact that 600 million people in Africa continue to live without electricity in their daily lives stood out.
By Adebayo Vunge, Journalist
@AfricaHeadline SAUTI
They do not have access to essential opportunities that electricity provides: modern healthcare, quality education, better quality of life, job opportunities, and economic growth.
The challenge of electrifying the African continent was one of the key pillars of the outgoing president of the African Development Bank (AfDB), who, alongside the World Bank (WB), was one of the main sponsors of this initiative taking place in Tanzania, highlighting the transversality and reach of financial investments to improve the lives of African populations, especially the poorest.
An alliance between the AfDB and the WB has pledged to mobilize eight billion dollars to provide electricity to 300 million people in Africa by 2030—an initiative called “Mission 300.” Several partners, such as the Rockefeller Foundation, the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP), the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA), and Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), are working together to achieve this goal.
The race to succeed Adesina at the AfDB has gained significant momentum in recent days, as the five final candidates were confirmed last week, with clear highlights for Zambian Samuel Maimbo, Senegalese Amadou Hott, and Mauritanian Sidi Ould Tah—renowned figures in high finance who promise to drive faster development across the continent and reduce poverty. Samuel Maimbo is a former World Bank official, Amadou Hott was a special envoy for the Green Infrastructure Alliance in Africa, and Sidi Ould Tah is the Director-General of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa.
The strategic priorities of this race focus on mobilizing resources and strengthening public-private partnerships, reinforcing governance capacity, and ensuring the financial interests of African nations are aligned to drive progress. However, the impact of this transition is also part of the fundamental legacy of Akinwumi Adesina’s tenure, who, over a decade at the helm of the AfDB, led profound organizational transformations—evident in the volume of bank financing, which exceeded 90 billion dollars for 300 billion in economic multipliers, amplifying Africa’s voice in the international financial system to address challenges such as the pandemic, food insecurity, and the economic crises triggered by debt burdens in several African countries.
It is also essential to remember that since assuming the leadership of the African Development Bank in 2015, Akinwumi Adesina, a former Nigerian Minister of Agriculture, has championed a new vision, advocating that agriculture could provide a unique opportunity for Africa’s economic transformation, positioning the sector at the center of education and economic planning.
However, as has become increasingly evident, investment in infrastructure, digital transformation, and energy is also crucial to revitalize Africa’s agro-industrial sector.
The race to succeed Adesina at the AfDB has intensified, with the final five candidates now confirmed. The most prominent contenders are Samuel Maimbo, Amadou Hott, and Sidi Ould Tah—figures known in global finance for their leadership and expertise in accelerating economic development across Africa.
Upon announcing his candidacy, Maimbo highlighted his support from countries within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), emphasizing that Africa is entering an era of bold leadership. He pledged to mobilize a funding package exceeding 90 billion dollars to drive the continent’s economic transformation.
Interestingly, various SADC countries, including Angola and South Africa, had candidates in the preliminary phase, but discussions now largely revolve around Maimbo’s bid.
Maimbo is seen as the second Zambian to head the AfDB, following Wila Mung’omba, who served briefly in an interim capacity. Babacar Ndiaye of Senegal led the bank from 1985 to 1995, succeeded by Omar Kabbaj of Morocco, who held the position for two terms. Rwanda’s Donald Kaberuka led the AfDB from 2005 to 2015, immediately preceding Adesina.
The AfDB has maintained top-tier financial ratings with agencies like Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s, and Fitch, ensuring that whoever succeeds Adesina inherits a solid foundation.
