Cote d’Ivoire backs return of Adeshina as AfDB President

Cote d’Ivoire would support the candidacy of the President, African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, Akinwumi Adesina, for a second term at the helm of the development bank, an official source in the Ivorian economic capital said.

Adesina had announced his candidacy for a second term at the head of the development bank, on June 14 in Malabo at the close of the 54th Annual Meetings of the AfDB Group.

He was elected on May 28, 2015 to head the AfDB and the next election would be held at the 55th Annual Meetings of the bank scheduled for 2020 in Côte d’Ivoire

According to a local newspaper, APA, on Friday, a former Ivorian Minister of Economy and Finance, Adama Koné, who had been newly appointed Minister to the President of the Republic in charge of Economic and Financial Affairs, would support Adesina for a second tenure in office.

It said Kone would represent Côte d’Ivoire as the administrator of the AfDB to support the renewal of the mandate of Adesina.

Ivorian President, Alassane Ouattara, who spoke at the presidential palace in Abidjan at the first cabinet meeting of his new government, gave indication of the country’s support for Adesina.

Ouattara was quoted as saying, “Adesina is doing an excellent job.”