Abidjan, 29 August 2015 (ECA) – The Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa, Mr. Carlos Lopes bid farewell to Mr. Donald Kaberuka, the outgoing President of the African Development Bank, at a function held in Abidjan.
After 10 years at the helm of the bank, Mr. Kaberuka, its seventh president, leaves a distinguished legacy and contribution to development in Africa.
Mr. Lopes, who addressed the bank’s staff and other dignitaries, particularly valued Mr. Kaberuka's commitment to regional integration proven through a very strong partnership with the African Union Commission and the Economic Commission for Africa.
“Kaberuka was not just a good banker. He was also a strategist capable of countering pessimistic views about Africa with concrete bold moves that allowed important counter cycle measures to be taken. Facts after the 2008 crisis have proven him right.”
Mr. Kaberuka’s ability as a strategist “allowed for a forward looking agenda to be developed including the launch of a new continental vision, namely Agenda 2063,” said Mr. Lopes.
Mr. Kaberuka was involved in about 20 common projects with the Economic Commission for Africa and implemented joint initiatives such as the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA), Agenda 2063, the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) and Climate for Development in Africa (ClimDev)
Mr. Akinwumi Adesina, the former Nigerian Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, succeeds Mr. Kaberuka.
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