KEY POINTS

• The High 5s approach taken by AFDB benefitted 565 million people.
• Upgrades to healthcare, food, transportation and electricity access
• Adesina closes out a decade of leadership appreciated by many.

Dr Akinwumi Adesina said that over 565 million people in Africa were helped by the work of the Bank during his ten years as President.

The AfDB President started the 2025 Annual Meetings in Abidjan by celebrating how his “High 5s” strategy, launched in 2015, has achieved much success.

High 5s: planning for change in Africa

High 5s center on five fundamental elements:

1. Lamp Up and Empower Africa
2. Feed Africa
3. Industrialise Africa
4. Integrate Africa
5. Help to Improve Living Standards in Africa

Adesina mentioned the main achievements of the strategy

More than 128 million people were given better access to healthcare, 121 million people gained improved transport services with new infrastructure, The number of people with adequate food now stands at 104 million, Almost 63 million now have drinking water they can use, Improved sanitation was made available to 34 million in 2012, About 28 million people were using electricity.

These numbers represent real people with bright possibilities, according to Adesina. Judging development by its influence on people should matter more than focusing just on statistics.

Impacts have spread across the country by the Adesina of AfDB

Projects supported by the AfDB in Lesotho, Kenya, Egypt and Senegal have upgraded infrastructure, allowed more people access to energy and linked the regions more closely. The High 5s are more than a plan, according to Adesina; African leaders and communities had fully embraced them.

 Adesina of AfDB era has come to a close

The incoming AfDB President will be elected after Adesina’s second term comes to an end at the end of the current meetings. His efforts have created a recognizable model for including everyone in the development of Africa.