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.

Is your participation in this forum strategic, given that you are among the five candidates currently running for the presidency of the African Development Bank?

Yes. I believe the Africa CEO Forum is an ideal platform to discuss my candidacy for the presidency of the African Development Bank. I have three main priorities: strengthening intra-African trade for the benefit of the private sector, African states, and people; increasing financing for the African private sector and African projects; and massively creating jobs for young people. However, it is only by working with the private sector that we can create jobs for the thousands of young Africans who are demanding them. My three priorities resonate strongly with this forum. All these objectives require a solid partnership with the African private sector, a large part of which is gathered here.

How do you balance your duties at the World Bank, where you work, with this campaign?

Indeed, I am the World Bank's Vice President for Budget and Strategic Planning, where I lead a team of 600 people worldwide. I took a six-month sabbatical to lead this campaign.

Outgoing President Akinwumi Adesina initiated a strategy he dubbed the "High 5s," which prioritized sectors such as energy, food, and industrialization. Do you plan to continue this vision?

I view the leadership of the AfDB as a relay race. President Adesina took over from Donald Kaberuka. In turn, I want to extend this momentum, adapting it to the current economic context marked by a difficult macroeconomic environment and difficult geopolitical tensions, and to the development challenges of our continent. And so, as I said, my priorities are: strengthening intra-African trade; massively financing the private sector; and creating jobs for young people.

What explains the still very low volume of intra-African trade, standing at less than 20% of its potential?

The political will exists and is very strong. As proof, almost all African countries have signed the agreement for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Africans want to trade with each other, but how can this agreement be implemented if there is insufficient transport infrastructure? Roads and pipelines must be built, and the railway network developed to facilitate trade. Let me give you an example: Angola produces crude oil, but Zambia, which is right next door, imports it from Saudi Arabia due to a lack of pipelines between neighbors. The AfDB must intervene at this level.

The massive emigration of young Africans to the West in recent years is seen as a tragedy facing many of the continent's leaders. How do you intend to address this challenge?We will achieve this through three initiatives that we will quickly implement: creating a Youth Council under the presidency to have direct and easy access to young people and vice versa; reforming vocational training; and investing in sectors with high job creation such as the creative industry, sports, urban services, and tourism. We can no longer bear to see our young people dying in the Mediterranean or seeing them work in degrading conditions in Europe and the United States.

West Africa is facing political upheaval that has economic and monetary repercussions, notably with the creation of the AES. How do you view these transformations and instabilities, and how do you intend to implement a plan in this fragile socio-political context?

I wish to work and strengthen partnerships with all economic regions. It is by doing this that we will achieve true African economic integration. The creation of the economic communities you speak of is primarily a political decision, and the problem this could pose must first be resolved at the political level. And at this level, the African Union also has a role to play. The AU and the AfDB must work hand in hand since they are in the same boat, the AU being focused on political consensus and the AfDB on economic development.

What are your chances of winning this election against equally tough and experienced opponents?

I come from Zambia, a mining country where copper is produced. This mineral performs at its best when subjected to strong pressure. It's hard work that has forged my mental strength. I am resilient, used to being under pressure. I am in a competition with strong opponents whom I see as African brothers and sisters. The real competition, the real fight, is against poverty, inflation, unemployment, and lack of access to electricity. These are what I consider my adversaries. The fight must be for the development of Africa, our beloved continent.