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Akinwumi Adesina
The agriculture economist betting that Africa can feed and power itself.
The rise
An agricultural economist and reforming Nigerian agriculture minister, Adesina cut fertilizer-sector corruption before being elected to lead the AfDB.
What they did
He built the bank's 'High 5' agenda — light up, feed, industrialize, integrate, and improve lives — mobilizing billions for energy access and farming, and won the 2017 World Food Prize.
The full picture
Scaling finance across 54 diverse economies is slow, and critics question how far continental development banks can move the needle against the scale of need.
Why it matters
Adesina champions an Africa that develops on its own terms — financing infrastructure and agriculture rather than waiting on aid.
“Africa must learn to feed itself. The future of food in the world will depend on what Africa does with agriculture.”
What citizens said
Afrobarometer Round 9 (2021–2023) — Nigeria
% who say 'trust somewhat' or 'trust a lot' · Afrobarometer Dispatch No. 891