Africa: AfDB Appoints Nwabufo as Vice-President for Regional Development and Business Delivery

The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group has appointed Nigerian professional, Mrs. Nnenna Nwabufo, as Vice-President for Regional Development, Integration, and Business Delivery, effective October 4. The announcement was made by AfDB President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, who expressed enthusiasm about Nwabufo’s new role in a statement issued by the Bank on Tuesday.

Mrs. Nwabufo brings over 33 years of experience in financial management, budget planning, human resource management, corporate services, and regional operations. Since joining the AfDB’s treasury department in 1991, she has taken on several managerial roles, including her appointment as Acting Vice-President for Corporate Services in May 2015. In January 2021, she was named Director-General for East Africa, where she led the Bank’s strategic efforts to foster development in the region’s 13 countries, with a focus on both sovereign and non-sovereign operations.

With her strong background in mobilizing resources and driving growth, Nwabufo has demonstrated her ability to deliver results, making her well-equipped for this new position. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of Lagos and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Henley Management College in the United Kingdom.

Dr. Adesina praised Nwabufo’s extensive expertise, stating, “Nnenna’s deep understanding of the Bank, combined with her broad senior management experience across finance, human resources, corporate services, and operations, makes her highly suited for this new role overseeing country and regional operations. I am confident that her leadership will strengthen our efforts to enhance operational efficiency and deepen policy dialogues across Africa.”

In response to her appointment, Nwabufo expressed her gratitude, saying, “I am deeply honored by this appointment and grateful to Dr. Adesina for the trust placed in me. I look forward to working closely with the President, the boards of directors, senior management, and our dedicated staff to further the Bank’s development mission. Together, we will build strong partnerships, ensure operational excellence, and drive sustainable and inclusive growth across Africa.”

Nwabufo’s new role is expected to significantly bolster AfDB’s efforts in advancing regional development and fostering economic integration across the continent.