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Bank Adopts New Administrative Structure for Greater Delivery
and Effectiveness
Press Release
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President of the African Development Bank, Mr. Donald Kaberuka
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Tunis, 10 April, 2006 –
The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group has launched the first in a series of
reforms that ensures an effective development and solid financial institution.
The Board of Directors of the Bank Group on Friday approved a new structure
ushering in the changes that will be implemented over the short and medium term,
to turn the hitherto highly centralized institution into an agile body able to
respond more effectively to the needs of member countries.
The new structure puts special emphasis on the private sector, infrastructure
and regional integration and water. Three of the five vice-presidencies and 60
percent of the Bank’s budget will be devoted to operations activities in
regional member countries, to ensure greater effectiveness and delivery. It will
also reinforce the Bank’s work in support of the NEPAD initiative, water and
sanitation as well as trade.
Speaking to staff after the Board session, the President of the Bank Group,
Mr. Donald Kaberuka, pointed out that the search for greater
effectiveness stands at the heart of the reform strategy.
The structure which enhances country focus, takes into account the need for
reinforced decentralisation and greater field presence. In his presentation to
staff, the President emphasized the fact that accountability and safeguard
mechanisms will be reinforced as more power is delegated to field managers, to
ensure institutional integrity and a strong anit-corruption drive in its
operations.
The Bank’s new senior management team includes two female
vice presidents, Mrs. Zienab El Bakri and Ms. Arunma Oteh; three male VPs:
Messrs. Thierry de Longuemar; Joseph Eichenberger; and Mandla S. Gantsho; and
the Secretary General, Mr. Modibo Toure.
The next set of reforms will involve redeployment of the Bank’s human
resources as well as its business practices, both intended to make the
institution a more result-oriented body closer to the needs of the
countries.
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