In a powerful speech delivered upon receiving Kenya’s highest civilian honour, Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank, reflects on his long-standing relationship with Kenya and its transformative impact on the continent. From pioneering agricultural reforms to championing renewable energy and empowering youth, Adesina’s journey with Kenya showcases a profound partnership dedicated to Africa’s growth and development.
When Dr Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), stood before President William Ruto in Nairobi’s State House to receive Kenya’s highest civilian honour—the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart—he was not merely being recognised for leadership. He was being honoured as a brother, a friend, and above all, a relentless development champion with a profound bond to Kenya that spans more than two decades.
With unmistakable warmth and humility, Dr Adesina accepted the prestigious award, a gesture he called “a rare privilege” and “a historic recognition.” But more than the accolade itself, it was the story behind the relationship—the tireless work, mutual trust, and shared dreams—that illuminated the true value of the moment.
“I consider Kenya as my home,” he declared in his acceptance speech, standing alongside his wife, Grace. “After all, I lived and worked here for almost nine years… I can claim to have been working in and on Kenya for at least 20 years.”
From Development Partner to ‘Kenyan on Loan’
Adesina’s relationship with Kenya is deeply personal. As a representative of the Rockefeller Foundation and later as Vice President of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), he worked intimately with stakeholders across Kenyan agriculture, education, and research. His passion saw him engaging everyone from ministers to farmers, from bishops to youth in schools.
His humour shines through in a story from a 2010 state visit by Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan. During an airport introduction, then-President Uhuru Kenyatta interrupted with a laugh: “Yes, I know him. He is the Kenyan on loan to the Nigerian government!” Such was the affection with which he was held.
This affection was mutual. Adesina not only immersed himself in Kenya’s development, he built relationships with local institutions—from the Nairobi Pentecostal Church to the African Economic Research Consortium, to AGMARK and SACRED Africa. Whether working with technocrats like Dr Romano Kiome or business giants like Chris Kirubi and Vimal Shah, his commitment was unwavering.
The Ruto-Adesina Partnership: From Kilimo Plus to Vision 2030
Perhaps one of the most poignant threads in Adesina’s address was his long-standing friendship with President William Ruto, which began in the early 2000s when Ruto served as Kenya’s Agriculture Minister. “Tumetoka mbali—we have come from far,” he said, reflecting on their shared history.
Their partnership bore fruit in the Kilimo Plus programme, a bold initiative that delivered subsidised inputs to over 2.5 million smallholder farmers. “He did not wait for me,” Adesina recalled. “He came to my office at 7:30am. That was how we launched Kilimo Plus.”
Such commitment later shaped the Kilimo Biashara programme, unlocking credit access for farmers by reducing lending risks. Working with Equity Bank, led by James Mwangi, the programme transformed rural finance. From beekeepers to maize farmers, thousands found themselves empowered to grow their businesses and livelihoods.
Impact Through Infrastructure: From Dusty Roads to Power Grids
Since assuming leadership of the AfDB in 2015, Adesina has steered the Bank’s investment in Kenya with an unprecedented intensity. Of the $7.8 billion the AfDB has committed to Kenya since its founding in 1964, $4.44 billion—more than half—was delivered in the past ten years under his watch.
These numbers translate into visible, tangible results. The transformative Last-Mile Connectivity project, co-financed by the AfDB, expanded electricity access from 41% in 2014 to 76% in 2024, lighting up homes in villages like the one where an elderly woman named Grace once said: “All I know is that we once were in darkness, now we have light!”
This electrification push is part of Kenya’s journey toward 100% access by 2030, aligned with the Bank’s Mission 300 initiative. The AfDB also helped build Africa’s largest wind farm at Lake Turkana and supported geothermal development at Menengai, confirming Kenya’s status as a continental leader in renewable energy.
On the ground, AfDB-financed roads have become arteries of trade and connectivity. From Nairobi’s Outer Ring Road to the Thika Superhighway, from the Addis Ababa–Nairobi corridor to the Bagamoyo–Malindi road linking Tanzania and Kenya, these projects reduce travel times, lower trade costs, and integrate regional economies.
Building the Future: Youth, Women, and Inclusive Growth
Dr Adesina is acutely aware of Kenya’s demographic reality: a young, ambitious population seeking opportunity in a rapidly changing world. Unemployment, especially among educated youth, remains a pressing concern—and he sees this as both a challenge and an opportunity.
In partnership with President Ruto’s government, the AfDB is preparing to launch the Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank of Kenya, a specialised financial institution dedicated to funding youth-led enterprises. “When I discussed this with President Ruto at an airport in Dubai, he said, ‘I want this in Kenya like yesterday,’” Adesina revealed.
In parallel, the Bank is supporting $309 million worth of youth-focused skills development projects, already benefitting over 88,000 trainees. On the gender front, the AFAWA initiative has channelled $177 million to 3,177 women-owned enterprises in Kenya. One such entrepreneur is Pauline Otila, CEO of Apiculture Ventures, who scaled her honey business from 1,200 to 10,000 beekeepers with AFAWA support.
“No bird can fly with one wing,” said Adesina. “When women win, Kenya wins. When women win, Africa wins.”
Kenya and the AfDB: A Model of Partnership
Dr Adesina’s story is not just one of personal engagement, but of a deep institutional partnership between Kenya and the AfDB. From the Bank’s first project in 1967 to today’s multifaceted $4 billion portfolio, the collaboration has matured into a model of impact-driven development.
Water and sanitation are another key focus. Responding to President Ruto’s appeal, the Bank has committed $634 million to projects like the Thwake Multipurpose Water Dam, which will deliver clean water to over 1.3 million people across three counties and power the futuristic Konza Techno City.
Private sector support is equally robust, with over $700 million extended to commercial banks, catalysing credit for SMEs and homeownership through the Kenyan Mortgage Refinance Company.
A Heart of Gold—and Africa in Mind
As the speech drew to a close, Dr Adesina’s reflections turned inward: “You made it even better,” he told President Ruto. “You added Gold to my Heart.”
The symbolism is hard to miss. A man once dubbed a “Kenyan on loan” is now eternally linked to the country’s golden spirit—officially and emotionally. It was not just an award, but a public affirmation of shared values, accomplishments, and vision.
In Adesina, Kenya recognised not just a friend, but a pan-Africanist devoted to inclusive growth, connectivity, and dignity for all. And in Kenya, Adesina found not just a second home, but a partner with whom to build a brighter African future.
“Asante Sana, Mheshimiwa Rais Ruto,” he concluded. “Mungu aibariki Kenya. God bless Africa.”
