Who will be the next AfDB president?

On Thursday, May 28, the African Development

Bank’s member states are going to pick the

institution’s next head at the #AfDBAM2015.

Here’s a refresher on the candidates and their

stated vision for the bank.

Akinwumi Adesina MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT, NIGERIA

“It is not enough to lend for infrastructure;

the critical question must be whether the

infrastructure lending is driving clearly

articulated and visible developmental

outcomes.”

Jaloul Ayed FORMER MINISTER OF FINANCE, TUNISIA

“Doing better for less must be

our motto if the bank were to

manage its resources mindfully,

and keep costs under control.”

Kordjé Bedoumra MINISTER OF FINANCE AND BUDGET, CHAD

“My strong conviction is that

decent employment for youth and

women across the continent is

one, if not the best response to the

indoctrination attempts which our

young people are often victims of.”

Cristina Duarte MINISTER OF FINANCE AND PLANNING, CAPE

VERDE

“The bank cannot be everything

to everyone. It has limited

resources and has to focus on

where it has competitive

advantage.”

Samura Kamara MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION, SIERRA

LEONE

“Challenges today are getting

deeper and deeper, and time

is not on our side. So you

have to go look at the bank,

and staffing, and build on

what you already have.”

Thomas Sakala FORMER VICE PRESIDENT OF COUNTRY

AND REGIONAL PROGRAMS, AfDB

“We need to go beyond

checklists of desired

achievements or targets.

We should strive to

understand what drives

gender prejudice, exclusion

and violence in the different

communities, environments

and countries.”

Birama Boubacar Sidibé VICE PRESIDENT, IsDB

“Strong institutions, in fact,

guarantee the delivery of public

service, even in times of crisis

and ultimately contribute to peace

and security.”

Sufian Ahmed MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC

DEVELOPMENT, ETHIOPIA

“African governments have

more options than ever

before on how to finance

their development, and the

African Development Bank

cannot sit on its laurels or

take its role for granted.”

Who’s it going to be? Share your thoughts on Devex.com or through www.facebook.com/Devex, @devex and

@JennyLeiRavelo.