The African Development Bank (AfDB) has strongly rejected a report published by Africa Intelligence on 21 March 2025, which claims that the Bank had engaged a company or individual to interview presidential candidates as part of its election process. In a statement, the Bank categorically denied the allegations, describing the article as “false, misleading, and reckless.”
The Bank emphasized that the recruitment of its president is solely the responsibility of a joint committee consisting of Bank shareholders, as outlined in its founding agreement and established protocols. The Bank clarified that it does not play any role in selecting, recruiting, or shortlisting candidates for the presidential election.
“The election of the African Development Bank president is a process that falls under the sole jurisdiction of the Bank’s shareholders, and any claims to the contrary are baseless,” the statement read.
The Bank also pointed out that guidelines regarding the presidential election process are readily accessible to the public on its official website. It expressed concern that Africa Intelligence had published the misleading article without first verifying the information with the Bank or consulting its website, which it described as a “serious dereliction of journalistic duty.”
The Bank urged both the public and media to remain cautious in the face of what it called “misleading and malicious narratives” and reiterated the importance of respecting the integrity of the presidential election process.
In the statement, the AfDB reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and fairness in the electoral process, calling for accuracy in the reporting of such sensitive matters.