Why Maimbo Will Need Google Maps
Zambia’s Samuel Maimbo is one of five candidates vying to become president of the African Development Bank (AfDB). He lives in Washing DC where he has worked for the World Bank almost his entire working life. During his campaign he has been granted a leave of absence; he has not resigned, which means if he doesn’t win, he’ll return to live in Washington and continue working for his World Bank.
Maimbo lacks substantive Pan-African experience and, clearly, he doesn’t intend to acquire any, save for winning the contest where he hopes to study Africa on the job. This raises serious concerns about his suitability for a leadership role requiring deep continental insight, lived experience and, above all, commitment to Africa.
In stark contrast, Maimbo’s competitors include Amadou Hott, a Senegalese, who was former Vice-President of AfDB and former Minister of Economy, Planning and Cooperation of his country, and Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, former President of the Khartoum-based Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa ( BADEA), and former Finance Minister of Mauritania.
The others are Abbas Mahamat Tolli, a Chadian and former Governor of the Bank of Central African States (BEAC), the and Ms. Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala, also a former Vice-President of AfDB. And they’ve all resigned from their jobs.
Maimbo, on the other hand, has served as head of staff to two World Bank presidents and as VP for “budget, performance review and strategy.” His technical experience, while valuable, has constrained his direct engagement at a leadership level with Africa and its diverse socio-economic and political dynamics.
In an era where Africa requires visionary leaders who not only understand the continent’s complexities but have actively worked within its systems and innards, Maimbo’s limited Pan-African footprint significantly dims the prospects of a potentially bright star. Effective continental leadership calls for proven commitment and cultural fluency even; never mind that Maimbo only speaks English!
Washington experience and a life-long career with the World Bank which, one must add, is a very unpopular institution in Africa’s power corridors as well as its streets – is probably the least attractive credential a prospective AfDB President should present on his resume, especially in these Trumpian times.
In short, the next AfDB President must be someone who knows his way around Africa.
Unfortunately, Google Maps doesn’t offer such directions.
Apollo Namazzi,
Kampala
