Adesina wins Africa Lifetime Achievement Award, highlights economic potential
Former African Development Bank President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina received the African Lifetime Achievement Award in Accra, Ghana this weekend, dedicating the honor to Nigeria and the African continent. Speaking at the event attended by Ghana President John Dramani Mahama and other dignitaries, Adesina emphasized Africa's economic growth trajectory with IMF projecting 4.2% expansion in 2026. He highlighted major African enterprises like Dangote, MTN, Safaricom, and Jumia as proof of the continent's evolution into an 'investable reality.' The former Nigerian agriculture minister underscored Africa's strategic importance in global energy transition, noting the continent holds 30% of the world's critical mineral reserves but attracts less than 5% of related investment. Adesina co-founded the Global Africa Investment Summit to bridge this gap, connecting African assets with global institutional investors. He acknowledged career support from former Nigerian leaders Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, paying tribute to mentor Kofi Annan. With Africa 'in motion' and growing fast, Adesina believes structured long-term investment will drive the continent's development more than aid.