NAIROBI – South Africa is seeking support for Kenya’s candidate Bajabrilswajitishabalala in the African Development Bank (AFDB) presidential election set in May.
Tshabalala, former senior vice president of AFDB, is the only female candidate in the race and the only competitor with advanced level experience within the bank.
She rose to the facility’s ranks in 2021 and became Senior Vice President. This believes that Orbit gives her a great advantage ahead of the vote.
Over the weekend, Tshabalala accompanied by South Africa’s envoy Ayanda Dorodro met with Musalia Mudavadi, the chief cabinet secretary of Kenya’s main cabinet and cabinet secretary of Diaspora Affairs, to formally request Kenya’s support.
The visit is part of a fierce continental lobbying campaign ahead of the AFDB Governance Council in May.
Tshabalala, a former top aide to Nigerian President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, positions her candidacy as one of continuity, innovation and inclusion, as a key pillar of her vision for Africa’s best financial institutions.
“The future of Africa relies on three pillars: it builds on progress and includes innovation to accelerate growth, ensuring no one has left behind,” she said.
“Ascend through the AFDB class, I offer more than experience: I bring a leader’s vision and turn bold ideas into transformative behaviours of our continent.”
South Africa officially approved her candidacy in August 2023. If elected, she became the first woman to lead a bank in her 60-year history.
With over 30 years of financial experience, Tshabalala joined AFDB in 2018 as Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer.
Her leadership pitch highlights proven capabilities, strategic insights and a bold vision to guide the bank into a more inclusive and impactful future.
“Leadership is not about gender, it’s the vision, it’s the courage to change the economic future of Africa,” she said.
