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Development expert, Dr Samuel Maimbo’s vision for the African Development Bank (AfDB) includes positioning the Bank as the central engine for economic development and the first point of contact for addressing Africa’s challenges when elected as President of the institution.
Speaking to Spiked Online Media, Sam said his leadership philosophy centers on execution – on getting the job done. His implementation strategies will be singularly focused on achieving results.
Under Sam’s leadership, the Bank will focus its resources on core priorities:
Trade and Regional Integration
Currently, at just 3% of global trade, Africa has immense growth potential through the AfCFTA’s unified market of 1.4 billion people.
Financial Resources
Strengthening markets, boosting savings, and attracting diverse investments can close Africa’s financing gap.
Agricultural Transformation
With 60% of the world’s uncultivated arable land, Africa can become a global agricultural powerhouse.
Infrastructure Development
Modernizing infrastructure is crucial for competitiveness and growth.
Energy Access
Accelerating energy access while promoting sustainability will power Africa’s long-term economic advancement.
Climate Action
Despite contributing <4% to global emissions, Africa faces disproportionate climate impacts. Scaling up investments in resilience and embracing new technologies will safeguard Africa.
Creative Industries
A powerful driver of youth employment and cultural exports, Africa’s creative industries can amplify our global impact.
Prioritizing Inclusivity
We will invite young people, women, and underserved communities across Africa to help us design effective strategies.
Sam will work to enhance the AfDB’s institutional effectiveness by focusing on operational excellence:
- Streamlining operations for faster, more responsive client support
- Supporting and empowering staff • Strengthening financial capacity through balance sheet optimization
- Leveraging the Bank’s decentralized structure for enhanced regional impact
- Implementing robust project performance monitoring systems
- Building stronger partnerships with Africa’s public sector, private sector, and global development institutions.
Endorsed by both the SADC and COMESA, Dr. Maimbo brings nearly three decades of expertise in development finance and resource mobilization, with a track record that spans the breadth of the African Continent and beyond. His career to date exemplifies transformative and pan-African leadership, driven by a compelling vision to redefine and revitalise Africa’s development trajectory.
In his most recent position as Vice President for Budget, Performance Review, and Strategic Planning at the World Bank, Dr. Maimbo oversaw the institution’s expansive budget portfolio, encompassing administrative, trust, and reimbursable funds, ensuring these resources were strategically aligned with the World Bank’s priorities, financial sustainability objectives, and operational goals.
Serving as the primary advisor to senior leadership on resource allocation and financial planning, he led the institution’s multi-year strategic and operational planning processes, ensuring fiscal discipline while achieving key objectives and managing its operational budget of US$5 billion.
As Chief of Staff to successive World Bank presidents, he played a pivotal role in advancing the institution’s mission and strategy at the highest levels. His tenure as Director of Resource Mobilization for the International Development Association (IDA) and the Corporate Finance Department of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) was marked by his stewardship of a record-breaking IDA20 replenishment, completed a year ahead of schedule in response to the COVID-19 crisis. This effort secured an unprecedented $93 billion financing package, with over 70% of the organization’s global commitments directed toward Africa.
Throughout his 23-year tenure at the World Bank, Dr. Maimbo has held numerous influential positions, showcasing his versatility and expertise across a broad spectrum of development priorities. From managing global practices in finance, competitiveness, and innovation, to spearheading country-specific initiatives such as the introduction of mobile payment systems, or paving the way for a new currency, his contributions have been impactful and far-reaching.
Before joining the World Bank, Dr. Maimbo gained invaluable experience as a Bank Inspector at the Bank of Zambia and as an Auditor with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). These formative roles instilled in him a rigorous approach to governance and financial accountability, coupled with a deep-seated passion for driving Africa’s development through innovation and financial engineering.
Dr. Maimbo is also a distinguished scholar. He 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 degree in Accounting from Copperbelt University in Zambia. He is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA, UK), reflecting his comprehensive expertise in finance and accounting.
