Dr. Samuel Munzele Maimbo, Zambia’s candidate for the African Development Bank (AfDB) presidency, has outlined his vision to Cameroonian authorities as part of his campaign. The current Vice President for Budget, Performance Review, and Strategic Planning at the World Bank met with Prime Minister Dr. Chief Joseph Dion Ngute and Minister of External Relations Mbella Mbella in Yaoundé on March 21.
A Vision for Economic Transformation
Addressing the press after his meetings, Dr. Maimbo emphasized his commitment to positioning AfDB as Africa’s leading engine for economic development. He highlighted his 30 years of experience in development finance, expressing confidence in Africa’s potential for growth.
“My vision is to ensure AfDB is equipped to meet Africa’s evolving challenges by focusing on efficiency, impact, and inclusive economic growth,” he stated.
If elected, he pledged to prioritize:
-Trade and regional integration
-Strengthening financial markets and attracting investments
-Agricultural transformation and infrastructure development
-Expanding energy access sustainably
-Addressing climate challenges and fostering innovation
-Boosting creative industries for youth employment
-Promoting inclusivity, particularly for women and underserved communities
Dr. Maimbo also stressed the need to enhance AfDB’s effectiveness by streamlining operations, strengthening financial capacity, leveraging decentralized structures, and building stronger partnerships with the public and private sectors.
“My leadership will be bold and results-driven, making strategic decisions to create jobs and drive prosperity across Africa,” he affirmed.
AfDB Elections and Support Base
The AfDB presidency election is scheduled for May 29, 2025, with five candidates in the race:
Hott Amadou (Senegal)
Dr. Samuel Munzele Maimbo (Zambia)
Tah Sidi Ould (Mauritania)
Tolli Abbas Mahamat (Chad)
Tshabalala Bajabulile Swazi (South Africa)
Dr. Maimbo has already secured endorsements from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).
About Dr. Samuel Munzele Maimbo
Dr. Maimbo is a seasoned expert in development finance, resource mobilization, and strategic planning. At the World Bank, he oversees a $5 billion operational budget and has played key roles in securing record-breaking funding for global initiatives, including a $93 billion IDA20 replenishment.
His past roles include Chief of Staff to World Bank presidents, Director of Resource Mobilization for IDA, and leadership in financial sector reforms. Before joining the World Bank, he worked as a Bank Inspector at the Bank of Zambia and an Auditor with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).
Academically, Dr. Maimbo holds a PhD in Public Administration (Banking) from the University of Manchester, an MBA in Finance from the University of Nottingham, and a Bachelor’s in Accounting from Copperbelt University. He is also a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA, UK).
