Ministry of Finance

REMARKS BY HON. DR. MWIGULU LAMECK NCHEMBA MADELU (MP,)

THE MINISTER FOR FINANCE, DURING THE CONFERRAL OF A HONORARY DOCTORATE DEGREE (HONORIS CAUSA) TO DR. AKINWUMI AYODEJI ADESINA, PRESIDENT OF THE AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK GROUP AT THE UNIVERSITY OF DAR ES SALAAM

• Your Excellency Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, Former President of the United Republic of Tanzania and Chancellor of the University of Dar es Salaam;

• Your Excellency Dr. Akinwumi Ayodeji Adesina, President of the African Development;

• Honourable Ministers;

• Vice Chancellor of the University of Dar es Salaam;

• Distinguished Members of the University Senate;

• Your Excellencies High Commissioners, Ambassadors and Heads of International Organization;

• Esteemed Guests;

• Ladies and Gentlemen;

• Good morning!

• It is a distinct honour and pleasure to stand here and talking to you all, at the heart of one of Africa’s most respected universities, to celebrate the conferral of degrees to our graduates. I feel honoured to rejoice with all of you as you culminate all your hard work to begin this new chapter in your lives as future leaders, innovators and researchers of our nation.

• Your Excellency, Dr Adesina, I am delighted to tell the graduates that this day opens their new chapter in their academic and professional carriers. This University was the single Icon and key to all of my dreams and career developments. I got all my three degrees in economics here, I got my first job as an economist at the Central Bank, when i was finalizing my MA Program here, I did my Students Activist Politics here, I was the coordinator of Youth Movements of the Youth wing of the Party, (UVCCM) here. I even got my beautiful wife here. I came back and graduated my PhD by Thesis while I was the Minister for Home Affairs some years back, being awarded by the same Chancellor Dr Jakaya Kikwete who is a Guest of Honor today.  I have all the respect to this University.

• This day not only marks this special celebration, but also a very special ceremony as we confer upon Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, the outgoing President of the African Development Bank, and one of the most influential champions for Africa’s development in recent history. The Honorary Doctorate Degree (Honoris Causa), a prestigious recognition from the University of Dar es Salaam.

• This honour is a reflection of what many across the continent and the world already know: that Dr. Adesina is a visionary leader, a tireless champion of development, and a true Son of Africa who has dedicated his life to transform the narrative of our continent. Tanzania is proud to stand among the nations celebrating his remarkable journey and enduring legacy.

• Distinguished Guests, through the Building a Better Tomorrow (BBT) Program - Youth in Agribusiness; the African Development Bank, under the visionary leadership of my dear brother, Dr. Adesina, enabled over 11,000 young Tanzanians to become agricultural entrepreneurs. By providing land, inputs, and financing, this program did more than support youth employment, it ignited hope in rural communities that prosperity is indeed within reach.

• That personal commitment to Tanzania’s development was also evident during one of the most difficult periods in recent memory. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, bringing the world to a standstill, Dr. Adesina stood firmly by our side. Under his leadership, the Bank acted swiftly, providing around USD 50 million in budget support, which allowed us to manage the health emergency, keep our economy afloat, and, most importantly, protect the most vulnerable among us.

• But Dr. Adesina’s impact goes far beyond Tanzania. As a true Pan-Africanist, he has inspired a new development agenda across the continent. Together with H.E Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, and Mr Ajay Banga, The President of The World Bank Group, Dr Adesina brought vision and credibility to the Africa Energy Summit, uniting leaders around the goal of achieving universal energy access for 300 million Africans by 2030 in the Popular Mission 300.

• In global forums, Dr. Adesina has become one of Africa’s strongest and most respected voices, championing our cause on the world stage. He has consistently and passionately advocated for climate finance, food security, and fair economic partnerships that respect the aspirations of African nations.

• Ladies and Gentlemen, Dr Akinwumi Adesina brought to the Bank a new narrative of financing strategic projects in Africa, making the support of the Bank to Development a reality. The traditional lending of the Bank was limited to financing multiple projects which leaves minor milestones to the lives of Africans. I won’t be fair in citing the examples than mentioning the bold decision of the AfDB under the leadership of Dr Adesina in financing:

• the Msalato International Airport in Dodoma;
• Iringa – Dodoma - Babati Road;
• the Dodoma City Outer Ring Road;
• Water and Sanitation Projects such as Arusha Urban Water Supply and Sanitation (AUWSA) Project, which had drastically improved access to clean and reliable water for over 600,000 residents of Arusha City and surrounding areas;
• In Energy Sector there are couple of projects, that include North-West Transmission Grid – (400 Kv Nyakanazi Kigoma Transmission line), which has increase national grid capacity western regions of Kigoma and Kagera; and
• the most Strategic Project is the SGR in which the financing arrangements of Lot 6 running from Tabora to Kigoma, and lot 7 running from Uvinza in Kigoma running to Musongati Burundi and later to DRC.

• Your Excellency Dr Adesina, your Legacy leaves a lesson to the World and all the multilateral institutions that, once they decide to support the development agenda in Africa, they should align them with our own national plans without dictating, and focus on the most strategic projects which transforms the economies and lives of the people, rather than focusing on the traditional lending of Chapaties and Mandazi which leaves most African countries on debt burdens with minimum transformation to their lives.

• It is therefore most fitting that the University of Dar es Salaam, our country’s oldest and most distinguished institution of higher learning, has decided to honour you with an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy. This degree is not just an academic symbol. It is a gesture of gratitude, a celebration of excellence, and a tribute to African solidarity and leadership.

• I warmly congratulate the University’s leadership, the Senate, and the academic community for their wisdom in bestowing this honour on such an outstanding and deserving individual, a leader who is not only a partner to our institutions but a brother to the people of Tanzania.

• Distinguished Guests, as we celebrate this special day, we also mark a moment of transition in leadership. On 29^th May 2025, the African Development Bank elected Mr. Sidi Ould Tah of Mauritania as its new President, who is expected to officially assume office in September 2025.

• We extend our warmest congratulations to President-elect Ould Tah and wish him great success as he takes up the mantle of leading one of Africa’s most important institutions. We are confident that he will continue to build upon the solid foundation laid by Dr. Adesina and carry forward the vision of a prosperous, resilient, and integrated Africa.

• Distinguished Guests, as I conclude, allow me, on behalf of the Government and the People of the United Republic of Tanzania, to express our sincere gratitude to you, Dr. Adesina. Thank you for standing with Tanzania and thank you for demonstrating that leadership with a purpose can indeed change lives.

• You are no longer just a friend of Tanzania, you are now a son of this land. And like all sons of Tanzania, you will always have a home here.

• May the path ahead be filled with light, purpose, and continued service to our beloved continent.

• God bless you. God bless Tanzania. And God bless Africa.

Asanteni sana!