ZAMBIA’S SAMUEL MAIMBO BRINGS WORLD BANK EXPERIENCE TO AFDB CANDIDACY.

BY NJERI IRUNGU 

Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire

As the African Development Bank (AfDB) convenes its annual meetings in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, the air is thick with anticipation. The presidency of Africa’s most prestigious financial institution is up for grabs, and among the five seasoned contenders, one name is quietly, yet confidently, gaining traction: Samuel Munzele Maimbo of Zambia.

Measured in tone but bold in vision, Maimbo represents a distinct brand of leadership—one shaped not by fiery speeches or populist platforms, but by the unglamorous, essential work of systems reform and institutional strengthening. His candidacy is rooted in three decades of development finance experience, including senior roles at the World Bank, where he led efforts to modernize financial systems and promote inclusive banking in some of the world’s most challenging contexts.

In an era where Africa is increasingly being asked to do more with less, Maimbo’s technocratic precision and quiet competence feel especially relevant. As traditional donors like the United States hint at deep cuts to development funding, and borrowing costs across the continent soar, there is a growing call for pragmatic leadership—someone who understands both the arithmetic of aid and the nuance of African policymaking.

“We need to unlock value from within the continent,” Maimbo said recently. “That starts with streamlining regulation, boosting intra-African trade, and building trust across our institutions.” It’s a statement that sums up his candidacy: not headline-grabbing, but deeply consequential.

His vision for the AfDB is one of integration and efficiency. Maimbo believes the bank must position itself not just as a lender of capital, but as a broker of coordination—helping African states move beyond fragmented policy frameworks toward unified economic strategies. His emphasis on regulatory coherence and cross-border trade places him firmly in the camp of those who see the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) not just as a legal instrument, but as a real engine for prosperity.

While other candidates bring impressive résumés—Senegal’s Amadou Hott with his private sector flair, South Africa’s Swazi Tshabalala with her insider knowledge of the bank, Mauritania’s Sidi Ould Tah with his focus on informal sector reform, and Chad’s Abbas Mahamat Tolli with his central banking pedigree—Maimbo’s edge lies in his blend of technocratic experience and continental perspective.

Born in Zambia, educated abroad, and seasoned in global finance, Maimbo has often straddled two worlds: the ground realities of African economies and the policy corridors of Washington, D.C. That dual perspective may be just what the AfDB needs as it grapples with a shifting donor landscape and rising internal demands.

His supporters argue that he offers a reset—someone who can rise above regional blocs and political maneuvering to refocus the AfDB on what it was meant to be: a development bank that delivers. “He’s the kind of leader who doesn’t just promise transformation—he knows how to engineer it,” said one senior delegate who asked not to be named.

The election process is complex. To win, a candidate must secure at least 50.01% of the votes from African member states, and then a similar majority from the full 81-member constituency, including global stakeholders. It is a game of numbers, alliances, and strategy. And yet, in such spaces, the quietest voice often carries the most weight.

As ballots are cast and consensus sought behind closed doors, one thing is clear: the next AfDB president will be stepping into office at a precarious time. Rising debt levels, climate shocks, youth unemployment, and crumbling infrastructure all demand urgent action. Africa needs a steady hand.

In Samuel Maimbo, some see not just a technocrat, but a builder—someone who understands that development is not a race but a relay. It requires consistency, credibility, and above all, a deep commitment to the invisible work of institution-building.

If elected, Maimbo would become the first Zambian to lead the AfDB. But his candidacy is less about nationality and more about a certain kind of leadership—quiet, capable, and profoundly necessary.