AfDB appoints Nigerian, 7 others in regional offices

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has appointed eight directors general and deputy directors general in its five regional offices across the continent including a Nigerian to head the North African region.

The bank appointed three directors general for the East, Central and Southern Africa regions and five deputy directors general for the East, Central, Northern, Southern and West Africa regions.

Nnenna Lily Nwabufo, the new DG, East Africa, is a Nigerian with over 30 years’ professional experience in treasury and financial management. Joining the bank in 1991, she rose to acting DG for the region on October 1, 2019.

“I have no doubt that working together with all internal and external stakeholders, we can make a difference and bring much-needed development to East African citizens,” Nwabufo said.

Commenting on her appointment, President of the Group, Dr. Akinwumi  Adesina, said: “I am delighted to appoint Nnenna as the Director General for East Africa. Her vast experience and solid track record in strategic functions across the bank attest to her capacity to effectively lead the team to rise up to the development challenges and ensure continued development impact to improve the lives of Africans in the East Africa region.”

Serge N’Guessan, a Canadian citizen appointed DG for the Central Africa Region, has over 30 years’ experience and has held key roles in the bank for 10 years. He was Deputy DG, West Africa, from September 2018.

Leïla Farah Mokadem is the DG, Southern Africa, from Tunisia with over 25 years of experience with multilateral development banks and international institutions. She is currently serving as an alternate Board member of Afreximbank.

The Deputy DGs are Dr. Solomane Koné, Central Africa from Côte d’Ivoire; Dr. Abdul B. Kamara, East Africa, from Sierra Leone; Malinne Blomberg, North Africa, a Swedish citizen; Kennedy K. Mbekeani, Southern Africa, a Malawian citizen; and Dr. Joseph M. Ribeiro, West Africa, from Cape Verde.