Zambia's Samuel Maimbo runs for AfDB presidency

Zambia’s Samuel Maimbo, a seasoned development finance expert with a career spanning over three decades, has officially thrown his hat into the ring for the presidency of the African Development Bank (AfDB). Maimbo's vision for Africa's development revolves around achieving middle-income status for the continent, emphasizing the importance of delivering tangible results to uplift the region. His candidacy adds to the competition that will culminate in a vote scheduled for May, where he faces off against other candidates such as Senegal's former Minister of Economy and Planning, Amadou Hott, and Mauritania's Sidi Ould Tah, the head of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa. In a recent interview with CNBC Africa, Maimbo outlined his ambitious plans and strategies to secure the support needed for his candidacy. One key point that he emphasized was the significance of his extensive experience in development, particularly on the African continent, where he has worked across various regions. Maimbo's focus on driving efficient and impactful initiatives underscores his commitment to translating promises into concrete actions for the benefit of African nations. Another crucial aspect of Maimbo's campaign is his approach to garnering regional support. While acknowledging the backing he has received from Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), he highlighted the importance of expanding his outreach to West Africa and North Africa. His vision for Africa's growth and job creation encompasses a broad range of sectors, from traditional industries like agriculture to emerging fields such as the creative industry. By positioning the AfDB as a key partner for governments seeking policy advice and resources, Maimbo aims to foster a collaborative environment for sustainable development. Moreover, Maimbo's candidacy hinges on securing both regional and non-regional shareholder support for the AfDB presidency. Drawing from his experience in global development and financial negotiations, he expressed confidence in his ability to engage with diverse stakeholders effectively. Highlighting the importance of redefining approaches to financing and execution, Maimbo underscored the necessity of partnership and inclusive growth strategies to propel Africa's economic advancement. One of Maimbo's central themes is the imperative of fostering collaboration amidst geopolitical tensions and security challenges facing the continent. Stressing the role of AfDB in promoting peace and sustainable development, he emphasized the need to invest in conflict-affected areas to break the cycle of instability and regression. By prioritizing peacebuilding initiatives and climate resilience, Maimbo envisions a proactive approach to addressing Africa's multifaceted challenges. In addressing the external environment, Maimbo highlighted the potential of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area agreement to insulate the continent from global economic uncertainties. By advocating for increased domestic resource mobilization and leveraging Africa's creativity and resources, he aims to diversify the continent's financial base and reduce dependency on external aid and investments. Maimbo's focus on nurturing industries like the film sector exemplifies his belief in harnessing Africa's cultural assets to drive economic growth and generate sustainable revenue streams. As Maimbo's campaign unfolds, his message of inclusive growth, partnership building, and innovation resonates with the evolving landscape of African development. With a firm commitment to realizing Africa's potential and enhancing its global competitiveness, Maimbo's candidacy for the AfDB presidency signals a strategic vision for advancing the continent's socioeconomic progress.