Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), has been awarded Kenya’s highest national honor, the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart (CGH). This prestigious award, established in 1967, recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the nation. Adesina joins a distinguished group of only 19 other recipients, including Kenya’s founding father, Jomo Kenyatta, former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Nelson Mandela, Queen Elizabeth II, and several Kenyan presidents. The award was presented by President William Ruto during a ceremony at State House, Nairobi. President Ruto lauded Adesina’s distinguished service and unwavering commitment to the economic advancement of both Kenya and the African continent. The award underscores the deep and impactful relationship between Adesina and Kenya, extending back two decades to his work with the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa.
The bond between Adesina and President Ruto traces back 20 years to when Adesina resided in Kenya and worked for the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa, coinciding with Ruto’s tenure as Minister of Agriculture. Their collaboration during that period focused on implementing farmer subsidies, a policy that faced resistance from international donors and financial institutions. President Ruto highlighted the continuity of this policy under his presidency, attributing it to a significant increase in Kenya’s food production, specifically citing a rise in maize production from 40 million to 70 million bags and record-high tea sales exceeding $1.7 billion. This shared history of working together for the benefit of Kenyan farmers served as a backdrop to the award ceremony, emphasizing the long-standing mutual respect and shared vision between the two leaders.
Adesina, in his acceptance speech, expressed profound humility and gratitude for the honor, recognizing the special significance of being acknowledged by a nation he holds dear. He underscored the award as a testament to Kenya’s appreciation for his leadership at the AfDB and the bank’s crucial contributions to Kenya’s development. Adesina emphasized the enduring partnership between Kenya and the AfDB, dating back to the bank’s inception in 1964. The AfDB has played a substantial role in Kenya’s development, financing 167 projects totaling $7.8 billion. The bank’s current portfolio in Kenya comprises 45 ongoing projects worth $4.09 billion, demonstrating the AfDB’s sustained commitment to the nation’s progress.
Addressing the pressing issue of youth unemployment in Kenya, a concern highlighted by youth-led protests in the previous year, Adesina outlined the AfDB’s initiatives to address this challenge. He highlighted the bank’s ongoing investment of $309 million in eight projects focused on skills development and announced the upcoming establishment of the Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank of Kenya. This new institution, pending board approval, will be solely dedicated to supporting young entrepreneurs through technical assistance, debt financing, and equity investments. This initiative signifies the AfDB’s proactive approach to empowering Kenyan youth and fostering economic growth through entrepreneurship.
The investiture ceremony was attended by a delegation of senior AfDB officials, including Vice Presidents Dr. Kevin Kariuki and Nnenna Nwabufo, Director-General for East Africa Kennedy Mbekeani, Executive Director for Eastern Africa Jonathan Nzayikorera, and Dr. Victor Oladokun, Senior Advisor to the President. Dr. Oladokun also delivered the opening prayer at the ceremony. This high-level representation from the AfDB demonstrated the significance of the occasion and the strong ties between the bank and Kenya.
The bestowal of the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart upon Dr. Adesina signifies more than just personal recognition. It symbolizes the deep and impactful relationship between the AfDB and Kenya, highlighting the bank’s continued commitment to the nation’s development. The award also recognizes Adesina’s visionary leadership in promoting sustainable economic growth and his dedication to addressing critical challenges such as youth unemployment across the African continent. His work with President Ruto, spanning two decades, underlines a shared commitment to transformative policies that benefit farmers and contribute to food security. This honor reinforces the importance of collaboration and shared vision in driving progress and prosperity in Africa.
