By Alfred Zacharia
The University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) has honourd Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, the outgoing President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), with an honorary Doctor of Philosophy degree in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Africa’s agricultural transformation and economic development.
The award was presented during the 55th graduation ceremony at the Mlimani City Conference Hall by Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, former Tanzanian President and UDSM Chancellor.
This marks the first graduation ceremony of the university’s new era, highlighting the significance of the honour.
Professor Rwekaza Mukandala, who read the citation, described Dr. Adesina as a rare combination of academic excellence, visionary leadership, and impactful service.
He highlighted Dr. Adesina’s transformative initiatives that have positively affected millions across the continent.
“Dr. Adesina’s innovative approach as Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture in 2011 revolutionised fertilizer subsidy distribution by introducing an electronic e-wallet system. This boosted productivity and eliminated middlemen corruption, benefiting more than 11 million farmers,” Prof. Mukandala said.
Since assuming the AfDB presidency in 2015, Dr. Adesina has overseen a doubling of the bank’s capita, from $93 billion to $208 billion by 2019.
His ‘High 5’ priorities—Light up and Power Africa, Feed Africa, Industrialise Africa, Integrate Africa, and Improve the Quality of Life—have impacted over 565 million people.
Under his leadership, AfDB has invested more than $55 billion in African infrastructure, funded food security programmes reaching over 100 million people, and committed $3 billion to strengthen healthcare systems.
Prof. Mukandala noted that despite being an agricultural economist, Dr. Adesina significantly advanced financial reforms, promoting inclusive financing to empower youth, women, and rural communities.
He revitalised AfDB’s financial instruments by increasing capital, issuing social bonds, and establishing emergency funds to support critical development sectors.
In Tanzania, AfDB’s partnership with the government has supported major infrastructure projects including Dodoma’s Ring Road, Msalato International Airport, and the Standard Gauge Railway linking Tanzania and Burundi.
The bank’s backing of the agricultural sector has helped Tanzania achieve 128% food self-sufficiency.
AfDB is also a key partner in the Build Back Better Tomorrow (BBT) initiative, which has enabled over 11,000 young Tanzanians to engage in modern agriculture.
Receiving the honorary degree, Dr. Adesina expressed gratitude to UDSM and the Government of Tanzania, particularly President Samia Suluhu Hassan. “I love Tanzania and consider myself a citizen of this great nation,” he said.
He encouraged the 842 graduating students to use their knowledge to innovate and contribute to Africa’s development.