Arunma Oteh on Adesina's probe & why COVID-19 represents an opportunity for Africa

Amid the unfolding saga surrounding the African Development Bank's President, Akinwumi Adesina, a wave of support has emerged from former African presidents. The controversy stems from 16 allegations leveled against Adesina, which he vehemently denies. While the ethics committee of the bank's board of directors has exonerated him, the United States, a major shareholder, has called for an independent probe. In a recent CNBC Africa interview, Aroma Oteh, an academic scholar at the University of Oxford and former treasurer and vice president of the World Bank, shed light on the situation. Oteh, who worked at the African Development Bank for 17 years, praised Adesina's integrity and leadership, emphasizing the rigorous governance processes in place at the bank. She highlighted the competitive selection process for the bank's leadership, contrasting it with other development banks where leaders are often determined by nationality of the largest shareholders. Oteh underscored the collaborative decision-making culture within multilateral development banks, urging stakeholders to support the bank's crucial work in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. She called for an end to frivolous allegations that undermine the institution's mission and reiterated the importance of upholding governance and integrity. Oteh also emphasized the significance of Africa's collective efforts in advancing the continent's economic development agenda and urged for a focus on turning the current crisis into an opportunity for growth and innovation.