Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), has announced the appointment of Ms. Bajabulile “Swazi” Tshabalala as Senior Vice President of the Bank effective 1st November 2021.
The decision on Ms. Tshabalala’s appointment, the Bank’s President disclosed, was reached following consultations with the Bank’s Board of Directors.
“I am delighted to appoint Swazi as Senior Vice President. She has been a highly valuable member of the Bank’s Senior Management team.
“She brings strong management skills, ability to get results and adeptness in overseeing the Bank’s financial assets and portfolios. Over the years she has shown commendable leadership in managing the Bank’s financial capabilities.”
Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina
According to Dr. Adesina, he believes by assuming the new substantive role as Senior Vice President, “she will give even greater drive to our collective efforts to boost the operational and financial strengths of the African Development Bank Group”.
On her part, Ms. Tshabalala, on her appointment stated that she is “greatly honored to have been appointed into this senior leadership role by President Adesina”.
“The staff of the Bank and I are excited about his [Dr. Adesina] vision for the Bank and Africa. The remarkable advancements, the global standing and reputation the Bank has attained in the past few years have been impressive.
“I look forward to working closely with the President, Senior Management, staff and the Board of Directors in delivering on the President’s vision to build a One-Bank, with strong teamwork, reinforcing the financial strength of the Bank, and helping to drive increased efficiencies, effectiveness and impact across all our work and operations”.
Ms. Bajabulile “Swazi” Tshabalala
Ms Tshabalala’s achievements
Prior to her appointment as Senior Vice President of the Bank, she served as Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer of the African Development Bank Group since joining the Bank Group in August 2018.
Afterwards, in March 2020, Ms. Swazi was appointed by President Adesina as Acting Senior Vice President in March 2020, following the retirement of Mr. Charles O. Boamah.
Over the past three years, Swazi has served in several key leadership roles at the Bank, including as co-Chair of the Steering Committee, the Bank disclosed.
This committee, the bank stated, worked bank-wide (large number of workers) with the President for the successful 15th Replenishment of the African Development Fund (ADF 15) and the African Development Bank’s historic 7th General Capital Increase.
While working as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, she led the senior leadership and bank-wide efforts to develop a Long-Term Financial Sustainability Framework for the Bank.
In her capacity as Vice President for Finance, Swazi, according to the bank, chaired the Asset and Liability Committee of the Bank.
As Acting Senior Vice President, she took on increased responsibilities, including oversight over some of the leadership organs of the Bank.
These responsibilities spanned the Senior Management Co-ordinating Committee and the Operations Committee that guide the Bank’s overall operations and effectiveness.
She also worked closely with the President to oversee the Bank’s prudential ratios and financial management to ensure the maintenance of the Bank’s AAA credit ratings by global credit rating agencies.
In the meantime, Ms. Tshabalala, the South African native, brings nearly 30 years of experience in management, finance, and risk management into her new role as Senior Vice President of the bank.
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