The President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has said he will continue to push for more capital investments into Africa even after stepping down from his current position on September 1, 2025. Adesina made this known on Tuesday while delivering a keynote address at the Standard Chartered Africa Summit held in Lagos.
Dr. Adesina, who is rounding off his second term as AfDB President, titled his speech “Tilting Global Capital for Unlocking Investment Opportunities in Africa.” He said his commitment to Africa would remain strong even after leaving office, adding, “As I step into a new future, you can be sure this will be my focus! For I will always have Africa in my heart and my sight.”
He described himself as “Africa’s Optimist in Chief” and said it was natural for him to speak on Africa’s development and potential. He said he believes that the continent has many opportunities that can be unlocked if global investors and financial institutions direct more funds towards key sectors of the African economy.
During the summit, Adesina highlighted what the African Development Bank had achieved in the past ten years under his leadership. He explained that the Bank focused on financial innovation and smarter use of its capital. “We are not just waiting for more capital. We are innovating to do more with the capital we have. Through our balance sheet optimisation initiatives, we are stretching every dollar of risk capital further,” he said.
He listed three main goals for the bank’s financial work: freeing up more capital, attracting investors, and increasing the impact of development projects.
Adesina also commended the partnership between Standard Chartered Bank and the African Development Bank. He noted a successful transaction in 2023 where the bank supported Ivory Coast’s sustainable development efforts with a partial credit guarantee. That deal later won the “Sovereign Syndicated Loan Deal of the Year” at the 2025 Bonds, Loans & ESG Capital Markets Africa Awards held in Cape Town, South Africa.
He said Standard Chartered Bank provided €533 million for the Ivory Coast, making a significant contribution to the West African country’s financing plans. He also congratulated the bank for winning the award for Best Transaction Bank at the Asset Triple A Treasurise Awards in Hong Kong, and noted that the bank received 127 recognitions globally in the same year.
Adesina called on international financial institutions to work more closely with the AfDB and other development banks. He said global capital needs to be directed more strategically into Africa to meet its growing development needs. He advised increased use of risk-sharing instruments, local currency financing, and better environmental and social standards when financing African projects.
He emphasised that with the right financial tools, Africa can create more jobs, grow its industries, and meet the demands of its youthful population. He said part of AfDB’s future plans includes the establishment of a Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank in Nigeria. This bank will focus on funding and supporting young entrepreneurs across the continent, helping to reduce unemployment and boost innovation.
Dr. Adesina also spoke about AfDB’s current involvement in Nigeria. He said Nigeria hosts the largest active portfolio of the Bank, with ongoing projects valued at $5.1 billion. According to him, there are currently 52 projects in Nigeria, split equally between the public and private sectors. National projects make up 84 percent of the portfolio, while regional projects take up the remaining 16 percent.
The former Nigerian Minister of Agriculture said Africa must continue to think big and attract the kind of funding that will transform its economies. He maintained that Africa’s future depends on what is done today to build a better tomorrow.
As his term winds down, Adesina said he remains focused on ensuring that Africa gets the investment attention it deserves. “Together, let us tilt global capital to unlock Africa’s assets,” he concluded.
