The University of Alberta will confer an honorary doctorate of science degree to Akinwumi A. Adesina, President of the African Development Bank, at an event next Tuesday (4), in Edmonton, Canada.
Adesina is a globally renowned leader who has dedicated his life to lifting millions of people out of poverty. For more than 30 years, he has implemented policies to increase investment in agriculture and give millions of farmers’ access to financing and credit, improved seeds, and fertilizers.
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Adesina´s work has a significant impact on the African continent since he assumed in 2015 the office as President of the African Development Bank, the main development finance institution in Africa.
The Bank has won international recognition for its transparent and effective governance and programs that advance the UN’s Strategic Development Goals. Between 2015 and 2018, the Bank has achieved huge developmental results: 16 million people gained access to new or improved electricity; 70 million people gained access to improved agricultural technologies; 9 million people benefitted from private sector investment projects; 55 million people gained access to better transport services; and 31 million people benefitted from improved access to water and sanitation.
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President Adesina also launched key initiatives aimed at unleashing African women’s potential. The Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) is a pan-African initiative to bridge the $42 billion financing gap facing women in Africa. It aims to drastically transform the banking and financial landscape in Africa and creating incentives for lending to women in business.
Adesina has also helped change the perception of business in Africa, by promoting de-risked development projects seeking funding from private investors.
Canada, a member of the African Development Bank since January 1983, is the fourth largest shareholder among the Bank’s non-regional member countries.