Zambia’s Dr. Samuel Maimbo has officially entered the race for the African Development Bank (AfDB) presidency, vowing to drive Africa toward middle-income status through strategic economic reforms.
His candidacy has been endorsed by both the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).
Dr. Maimbo emphasized the urgency of creating jobs and boosting productivity across key sectors, stating,
“Africa needs significantly higher growth rates to navigate today’s development challenges and seize future opportunities.”
His platform prioritizes trade expansion, infrastructure modernization, financial sector strengthening, and agricultural transformation.
With a distinguished career in development finance, including senior leadership at the World Bank, Dr. Maimbo has played a key role in securing large-scale funding for Africa. His leadership in resource mobilization saw a record-breaking $93 billion financing package, with over 70% directed toward African development projects.
As the AfDB election approaches, his candidacy is expected to draw significant attention, with his vision centered on delivering rapid, effective, and inclusive economic growth for the continent.
