The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group President, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, begins a three-day official visit to South Africa (SA) in Johannesburg.
This was made known in a statement by the Communication and External Relations Department Officer, Amba Mpoke-Bigg, made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja.
Mpoke-Bigg, said that Adesina would meet SA President Cyril Ramaphosa, and various government and industry leaders.
He would discuss with them important global and regional concerns, the African Development Bank Group’s development agenda and South Africa’s potential for increased trade and investment with the rest of Africa.
Mpoke-Bigg, said that on March 24, Adesina would make a speech at the opening ceremony of the SA Investment Forum.
“ The SA Investment Forum convenes delegates from South Africa and the rest of the world, its objective is to showcase the investment opportunities available in the country.”
She said that on Friday March 25, Adesina would be the keynote speaker ahead of a panel discussion organized by the African chapter of the Ambrosetti CEO Community.
“ The African Development Bank chief will speak on the topic- Africa beyond Covid-19: a new era of opportunity.”
Mpoke-Bigg, said that in Johannesburg, Adesina would also meet with G7 ambassadors accredited to SA.
“ One of the key subjects of their discussion will be the Just Energy Transition agenda for South Africa, a strategy which aims to make the evolution towards a cleaner and greener energy future for the country, as fair as possible.”
Also, the Senior officials of the AfDB would join Adesina in SA, they include Senior Vice President Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala, Solomon Quaynor, Vice President, Private Sector, Infrastructure & Industrialization, Yacine Fal.
Acting Vice-President, Regional Development, Integration, and Business Delivery, Kevin Kariuki, Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth and Director General for the SA region, Leila Mokaddem.
Mpoke-Bigg, said that the ADB Group’s active portfolio in SA comprises 23 operations with a total commitment of about 4.5 billion dollars in financing, since 1997, the AfDB has invested nearly 7 billion dollars in SA in energy and infrastructure.
