These endorsements come from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).

This endorsement places Maimbo at the forefront of the race to lead the AfDB, positioning him as the likely next President of the institution.

The endorsement from both SADC and COMESA highlights Maimbo’s widespread support across Southern and Eastern Africa. These regional bodies, which represent a vast portion of Africa's population and economies, have expressed confidence in Maimbo’s leadership capabilities and his vision for Africa's development.

In a joint statement, Chileswe Kapwepwe, the Secretary-General of COMESA, and Emmerson Mnangagwa, the Chairperson of SADC and the President of Zimbabwe, expressed their firm backing for Maimbo.

"Leadership in our development finance institutions is critical, especially at a time when the world, and our continent in particular, is grappling with numerous challenges. We are here today to collectively affirm our strong support for Dr Samuel Maimbo as the next President of the African Development Bank. This endorsement is not merely symbolic; it is a vote of confidence in a leader who understands Africa's needs and possesses the skills and experience necessary to transform vision into actionable results," said Kapwepwe.

Mnangagwa also echoed the sentiment, emphasizing Maimbo’s extensive experience in the finance sector and his understanding of Africa's economic landscape. The endorsement from these regional giants comes as the African Development Bank’s presidential election draws closer, with Maimbo’s candidacy gaining increasing traction across the continent.

This backing from SADC and COMESA adds significant weight to Maimbo's campaign, signaling the importance of regional unity and leadership in shaping the future of Africa’s development.  

--ChannelAfrica--