|By Chinwendu Nwani
Former President of the African Development Bank Group, Akinwumi Adesina, has dedicated his African Lifetime Achievement Award to Nigeria and the entire African continent, reaffirming his lifelong commitment to driving economic transformation across Africa.
Adesina received the prestigious honour at the African Heritage Awards held in Accra, Ghana, during the weekend, in an event attended by top dignitaries, including Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama.
Addressing the gathering, the former AfDB chief described his service to Africa as “a lifetime calling,” declaring that the continent is no longer defined by potential alone but by real, measurable progress.
“Africa is a continent in motion,” he said, projecting confidence in its economic trajectory.
Citing data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Adesina revealed that Africa’s economy is expected to grow by 4.2 percent in 2026, positioning it among the fastest-growing regions globally.
He pointed to major African enterprises such as the Dangote Group, MTN Group, Safaricom, and Jumia as proof that Africa has evolved into an “investable reality” rather than a speculative destination.
Adesina also spotlighted Africa’s critical role in the global energy transition, noting that the continent holds about 30 percent of the world’s critical mineral reserves, yet attracts less than five percent of global investment in that sector—an imbalance he described as a major opportunity for investors.
To bridge this gap, he highlighted the launch of the Global Africa Investment Summit, a platform he co-founded to connect African opportunities with global institutional investors.
The former Nigerian Minister of Agriculture stressed that Africa must shift from dependence on aid to structured, long-term investment, insisting that sustainable development can only be achieved through strategic financing.
In an emotional moment, Adesina dedicated the award to Nigeria and Africa, while acknowledging the support of former Nigerian leaders, including Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, in shaping his career.
He also paid tribute to former United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, describing him as a mentor who played a pivotal role in his journey.
