The Board of the African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a new ‘People Strategy’ for the next five years.
The new strategy is designed to enhance the Bank’s standing as the continent’s premier development institution.
The strategy seeks to tap into the Bank’s human capital – its most valuable resource – to deliver, through the institution’s projects, optimal development results for the people of Africa.
In 2019, the management of the AfDB pledged to increase the general human capital needs. It is in line with this commitment that the People Strategy is designed to: promote a stronger Employee Value Proposition; attract and retain top-notch staff, and raise the Bank’s employee engagement index to 85% or higher by 2025.
The broad objectives of the ‘People Strategy’, according to the AfDB, include building a talented, resilient, and diverse workforce with the right skills, attitudes, and passion to deliver the best development solutions for Bank clients.
The strategy also seeks to create a forward-looking workplace, with staff that is equipped with the right tools and technologies, to promote a culture of strong performance and accountability. Furthermore, it aims to enhance collaboration among all Bank stakeholders to achieve the best results for Africa.
The AfDB noted that the ultimate aim of the new strategy is to make the Bank the best place to work in development for Africa. Commenting on the People Strategy, Mateus Magala, Vice President of Corporate Services and Human Resources, said:
“We are delighted to move forward with the adoption of the AfDB’s People Strategy for the next five years, a period of great challenge as well as a great opportunity for the African continent. The document outlines the vision of the Bank towards attracting talent with a passion for ‘the best place to be’ for the development of Africa. It points to the African Development Bank as the place for the realization of the full potential of its people and defines a new level of engagement with its staff through the Employee Value Proposition.
“The Strategy was developed based on feedback received through extensive and wide-ranging consultations with stakeholders across the Bank, with the overall objective of supporting the delivery of development outcomes and impact for the continent. We remain focused on its full and rapid implementation to propel the institution to become a higher-performing organization to support the Bank’s mission.”
In 2018, the Careers in Africa Employer of Choice Survey ranked the African Development Bank the fourth best company to work within Africa. Of 100 companies listed, the top four include the World Bank Group, Chevron, Exxon Mobil, and the African Development Bank.
Over 20,000 African professionals answered questions about employee engagement and employment conditions. Opportunities to learn new skills, quality of healthcare provisions, leadership, and opportunities for advancement emerged as key indicators of great employers.
