By Lucy Ogalue

The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania has honoured the President, Africa Development Bank (AfDB) Group, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, for his immense contributions to the country’s economic transformation.

The AfDB in a statement on Tuesday, said the Tanzanian President, Samia Hassan, honoured Adesina during a ceremony held in Dodoma.

Hassan described Adesina as a visionary leader and a tireless son of Africa whose leadership had significantly impacted Tanzania’s growth and regional integration.

She said the 112-kilometre Dodoma Outer Ring Road, a major infrastructure project financed by AfDB has been renamed Dr Akinwumi Adesina Road in recognition of his role in supporting Tanzania’s development efforts.

“On behalf of the people of Tanzania, I express our gratitude to the AfDB for being a dependable partner of our country’s development.

“Your visionary leadership has brought significant socio-economic change to Tanzania and across Africa.

“I have accepted a recommendation by the Ministry of Works to rename the Dodoma Outer Ring Road as Dr Akinwumi Adesina Road.

“This is a leader who has dedicated his life to transforming the narrative of Africa. Under his stewardship, the AfDB has been a dependable partner to Tanzania,” Hassan said.

Hassan also commended the Bank’s support in the agricultural and energy sectors, as well as regional infrastructure aimed at linking Tanzania to Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Adesina, visibly moved and accompanied by his wife, Grace Adesina, was in Tanzania on a two-day official visit to inspect AfDB-funded projects.

The projects included the Standard Gauge Railway, key roads, and Msalato International Airport.

The Bank had invested over nine billion dollars in Tanzania since 1971, with 4.73 billion dollars of that committed during Adesina’s tenure over the past decade.

The Dodoma Outer Ring Road, now renamed in Adesina’s honour, is part of the Cape to Cairo transport corridor.

The project received 138 million dollars in financing from AfDB, 42 million dollars from the Africa Growing Together Fund, and 34.69 million dollars from the Tanzanian Government.

In another highlight of the visit, Adesina was conferred with an Honorary Doctor of Science degree by the University of Dar es Salaam on June 13.

The Chancellor, former President Jakaya Kikwete, praised him as a model of excellence in leadership and development.

“Dr Adesina exemplifies the rare blend of academic brilliance, visionary leadership, and practical impact that honorary doctorates are meant to recognise.

“His emphasis on inclusive growth, innovation, and economic resilience makes him a beacon of integrity, excellence, and servant leadership,” Kikwete said.

Adesina, who surprised many by delivering part of his remarks in Kiswahili, said he was deeply honoured by the recognition and pledged continued support for Africa’s progress.

“Tanzania is not just building roads and railways. It is building bridges of prosperity and corridors of opportunity,”Adesina said.

The AfDB has also mobilised more than 1.2 billion dollars in syndicated financing for the extension of the electrified Standard Gauge Railway.

It is also contributing more than 198 million dollars to the ongoing Msalato International Airport project. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Esenvosa Izah/Ese E. Eniola Williams