Cote d'Ivoire: AfDB pays tribute to late president Babacar Ndiaye

22 Septembre 2017

ABIDJAN,  Cote d'Ivoire, September 22 (Infosplusgabon) - The African Development Bank (AfDB) on Thursday paid tribute to honour its former President, the late Dr. Babacar Ndiaye, at the Bank’s headquarters in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire.

Under the aegis of Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the AfDB, the tribute ceremony gathered high level guests including former Heads of State, former AfDB presidents and ambassadors among others.

Adesina recalled that Ndiaye worked for Africa and lived for this continent. He pointed out that as AfDB president, Ndiaye brought the banking institution to the international stage and opened it up to the capital market.

Ndiaye, 5th president of the AfDB from 1985 to 1995, is known for having transformed the Bank into a “Triple A” institution, a rating it still holds today.

He supported the creation of many African institutions such as the African Export-Import Bank, Shelter Afrique and the African Business Roundtable. He also played a prominent role in opening up the Bank to the private sector.

The tribute aimed at celebrating the life and achievements of Babacar Ndiaye who passed away aged 81 on 13 July 2017 in Dakar, Senegal. His funeral took place on 15 July in the Senegalese capital.

Senegalese Minister of the Budget, Birima Mangara, described the late Ndiaye as "a builder to whom Africa owes many achievements and whose memory will be eternal."

On behalf of the Ivorian government, Sports and Recreation minister François Albert Amichia expressed hope that "the journey of this great man and worthy son of Africa inspires the young generations of Africa."

FIN/INFOSPLUSGABON/AOB/GABON 2017

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