*Outgoing AfDB Vice President, Dr. Jennifer Blanke (left) and the bank’s President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina
African Development Bank (AfDB) has announced the resignation of Dr Jennifer Blanke. She is the bank’s Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development. She said on Wednesday (June 10, 2020) that she is leaving for family reasons. A statement from the bank said, Blanke’s resignation would take effect July 4, 2020.
Blanke was quoted to have said, “I am leaving purely for family reasons to rejoin my family in Switzerland, after a very fulfilling time at the bank. I will miss the bank and the excellent team we have built. I will continue to strongly support the bank from wherever I am.” Blanke joined the bank in early 2017 and has overseen a number of its programmes.
The Vice President also had kind words for the Nigerian born President of the bank Dr. Akinwumi Adesina who is up for reelection when she said, “I thank President Akinwumi Adesina for his strong leadership, guidance, and support, which have undoubtedly motivated and helped my team and I to play a key role in the transformation of the bank. I feel privileged to have been given an opportunity to contribute to the bank’s agenda for accelerating Africa’s social and economic transformation.”
On the other hand, Adesina expressed delight to have worked with Blanke over the past three years. He said, “She has demonstrated genuine leadership skills and moved the needles on so many fronts, especially in the areas of food security, women’s financial empowerment, and job creations. I wish her all the best and look forward to continued partnerships and engagement with Jennifer.”
