Candidate for Presidency of the African Development Bank
From Lusaka to the World Bank, I've spent my career transforming how development finance serves Africa. One thing is clear: it's time to stop talking about plans and start delivering results at the pace and scale our continent deserves.
My Vision
At the heart of this vision is a commitment to delivering large-scale, generational job creation in line with Africa’s strengths and potential. From agriculture to the creative industries, we need strategies that unlock our continent’s unique opportunities. Achieving these goals requires addressing the underlying enablers of growth. A key focus will be on infrastructure development, ensuring access to adequate energy to power long-term growth, and the role of the digital economy in accelerating progress, bridging opportunity gaps, and enabling Africa to leapfrog traditional development pathways.
POLICY PRIORITIES
20 May 2025
CNBC Africa
Is Maimbo the man poised to shape Africa’s development future?
With the African Development Bank presidential race just days away, Dr. Samuel Maimbo, currently on a campaign tour in Rwanda, joins CNBC Africa to share insights on his journey and the road ahead.
19 May 2025
The Respondent
AfDB hopeful calls for bold, transformational change in Africa’s Development
The African Development Bank (AfDB) stands at a crossroads, and according to Zambian economist and AfDB presidential hopeful Samuel Munzele Maimbo, this is a moment that calls for bold reform, not incrementalism.
16 May 2025
Poeple's Daily
Backing Vision, Not Borders: Why Nigeria Should Support Samuel Maimbo for AfDB President
As Africa stands at the cusp of a defining decade where the decisions made today will shape the continent’s economic architecture for generations leadership in its key financial institutions becomes not just a matter of representation, but of vision, credibility, and competence. In this context, Nigeria has every reason strategic, economic, and moral to support Dr. Samuel Munzele Maimbo for the presidency of the African Development Bank (AfDB).
15 May 2025
Fratmat
Samuel Munzele Maimbo, AfDB presidential candidate: "My real opponents are poverty, inflation and youth unemployment"
Participating in the 12th edition of the Africa CEO Forum, held on May 12 and 13 at the Sofitel Abidjan Hotel Ivoire, Zambian Samuel Munzele Maimbo, current Vice President for Strategic Budgeting at the World Bank, was campaigning for the AfDB presidency, scheduled to take place during the upcoming Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors, from May 26 to 30, in Abidjan. During this 48-hour marathon, Samuel Maimbo, 53, granted us a short interview between two meetings.
Unlocking Financial Resources
Infrastructure Reimagined
Enhanced Intra - African Trade
From managing a $5 billion operational budget at the World Bank to securing a record $93 billion financing package for global development, Dr. Sam Maimbo has spent three decades turning ambitious plans into measurable results, delivering impact where it matters most
— the last mile.
Learn more about Dr. Sam Maimbo
Empowered Agriculture
Energy Access
30+ YEARS OF MAKING DEVELOPMENT WORK
Elevating Youth
& Women
Futureproofing Our Continent
