The outgoing President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Donald Kaberuka, Tuesday evening received a parting farewell from President Paul Kagame at the State House.

Speaking after his meeting with President Kagame, Kaberuka attributed his 10-year term at the helm of the bank to his country, and the Head of State in particular, who put trust in him and supported him as a candidate.

"In 2005, President Kagame decided to put my name forward as a candidate for AfDB presidency. The Government of Rwanda worked very hard for my election, so it is my duty and responsibility to thank the President and the people of Rwanda and to tell them that I have accomplished the mission for which they sent me,” said Kaberuka.

Kaberuka, who said he was currently writing about his tenure at the bank, expressed gratitude for the support that allowed him to emerge as the winner with an overwhelming 78 per cent of the governors’ vote.

"The President believed in my candidature from day one and he turned out to be right because I was elected with the largest majority in the history of the Bank yet some people thought someone from a small country, Rwanda, could not win this election,” he said adding that the shareholders of the bank had confidence in the choice of President Kagame.

Meanwhile, during the audience, President Kagame and Kaberuka discussed matters to do with development of Africa, global economy, the relations between Rwanda and AfDB and, according to Kaberuka, President Kagame gave him some tips on how to consolidate his achievements at the bank in the remaining months.

Kaberuka, who referred to his time at the bank as a mission not a job, will be replaced by Nigeria’s Akinwumi Adesina.

Adesina, 55, currently serving as Nigeria’s Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development — assumes office on September 1, as the 8th president of the continental bank following elections that were held last month.

Prior to his election at the continental bank in 2015, Kaberuka served as the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw