DODOMA, Tanzania, June 19, 2025/APO Group/ --
The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, on 14 June, has honored the President of the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) Dr Akinwumi Adesina describing him as “a visionary leader, a tireless son of Africa who has dedicated his life to transform the narrative of the continent.”

President Samia Suluhu Hassan and Bank Group President Adesina assess construction progress of the Msalato International Airport

President of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan addresses the community during a tour of Bank-funded transport projects in Dodoma with Bank Group President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, with his wife Grace Adesina, on 14 June 2025
![“These [Bank] projects address the realities of Dodoma’s fast-rising population and the increasing demand for efficient transport,” President of Tanzania said during the Dodoma Outer Ring Road Commissioning Ceremony, on 14 June 2025](https://www.africa-newsroom.com/files/thumb/efff60cdac6168be82332076b2f0759a.jpg/600)
“These [Bank] projects address the realities of Dodoma’s fast-rising population and the increasing demand for efficient transport,” President of Tanzania said during the Dodoma Outer Ring Road Commissioning Ceremony, on 14 June 2025

Adesina cannot hide his emotion upon hearing the Dodoma Outer Ring Road will be named after him during its commissioning ceremony

A section of the Dodoma Outer Ring carriageway, now named after Dr Adesina

Mama Samia and the crowd laugh and cheer as Adesina speaks Kiswahili during the Dodoma Ring Road commissioning ceremony (1)

Mama Samia and the crowd laugh and cheer as Adesina speaks Kiswahili during the Dodoma Ring Road commissioning ceremony (2)

Dr Adesina with the Class of 2025 University Dar es Salaam doctoral graduates, after being awarded a Doctor of Science Honorary Degree

Tanzania celebrates and honors Akinwumi Adesina’s impactful legacy as President of the African Development Bank

Adesina and Former President of Tanzania, Jakaya Kikwete, enjoy a 3-hour ride from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma on the Standard Gauge Railway
President Samia Suluhu Hassan praised Adesina’s vital role in the development of her country’s economy, singling out large-scale infrastructure projects financed by the Bank.
During a two-day visit to Tanzania that began on Friday, Bank president Dr Akinwumi Adesina was invited on a tour of some of the Bank-financed infrastructure projects that are transforming Tanzania’s economy and strengthening its regional and international roles. This includes a new international airport and a major highway that encircles the administrative capital of Dodoma.
The Tanzanian leader highlighted projects in other sectors, such as agriculture and energy, that are financed by the Bank.
“This is in addition to the construction of a modern Standard Gauge Railway line that will link Tanzania to Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo,” said President Suluhu Hassan.
The African Development Bank Group has invested $9 billion in Tanzania since it started its operations in the country in 1971. Total financial support over the last 10 years under Adesina’s leadership stands at $4.73 billion, equivalent to 53% of the Bank’s lending to Tanzania over the past 54 years.
“On behalf of the people of Tanzania, I express our gratitude to the African Development Bank for being a dependable partner of our country’s development journey,” the Tanzanian President said.
Referencing the Bank’s transformative impact, Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan told Adesina, “Your visionary leadership has brought significant socio-economic change to Tanzania and across Africa.”
To cheers from the crowd President Suluhu Hassan announced, “I have accepted a recommendation by the Ministry of Works to rename the Dodoma Outer Ring Road as the Dr Akinwumi Adesina Road.”
Adesina, accompanied by his wife, Grace Yemisi Adesina, was visibly moved to tears.
The newly named 112-kilometer dual carriageway is a strategic link in the Cape to Cairo continental corridor. It will decongest Tanzania’s fast-growing administrative capital and enhance regional connectivity.
The Bank provided $138 million in funding for the project, with an additional $42 million from the Africa Growing Together Fund and $34.69 million from the Government of Tanzania.
Earlier, Adesina surprised the crowd when he delivered a lengthy portion of his speech in Kiswahili, the national language of Tanzania, which is widely spoken in East and Central Africa. After recognizing all dignitaries in Kiswahili, he went on to thank President Suluhu Hassan for the warm and generous hospitality accorded to him, first in the City of Peace, Dar es Salaam, and in the attractive city of Dodoma.
“Mheshimiwa Rais Samia Suluhu Hassan, ningependa kukushukuru kwa mapokezi yako ya upendo na ukarimu tuliopewa jana katika jiji la amani, Dar es Salaam na hapa pia katika jiji lenye mvuto la Dodoma. Nimefurahi sana kuwa hapa Dodoma,” Adesina said as the crowd cheered him on.
Earlier, on Friday 13 June, Adesina was awarded a Doctor of Science Honorary Degree (Honoris Causa) from the prestigious University of Dar es Salaam.
The citation highlighted Adesina’s leadership and “lifelong dedication to public service, evidence-based policymaking, and pan-African progress.”
It read further: “Dr Adesina exemplifies the rare blend of academic brilliance, visionary leadership, and practical impact that honorary doctorates are meant to recognize. His emphasis on inclusive growth, innovation, and economic resilience makes him a beacon of integrity, excellence, and servant leadership.”
The honorary degree was bestowed on Adesina by the Chancellor of the University and former President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, who said, “I would like to tell Tanzanians, the African Development Bank has been a major anchor of Tanzania’s development sector. When it comes to infrastructure, no institution comes close to the African Development Bank.”
Addressing the graduating class, Adesina spoke of his humble beginnings, emphasizing resilience, character, and unity. “Success cannot be achieved alone,” he said, inviting the students to rise, link hands, and repeat together: “Together, we will succeed and make a difference.”
In his congratulatory remarks, Finance Minister Mwigulu Nchemba said, “Tanzania is proud to stand among the nations celebrating this remarkable journey and enduring legacy.”
From Dar es Salaam, Adesina, accompanied by former President Kikwete and Finance Minister Nchemba, took the Standard Gauge Railway train for the three-hour, 450-kilometre journey to Dodoma.
The African Development Bank Group has established a syndication strategy to mobilize $1.2 billion in conjunction with Deutsche Bank, Société Générale, and other partners for the 651-kilometre extension of the electrified Standard Gauge Railway that will connect Tanzania to Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The project financing, signed during the 2024 Africa Investment Forum Market Days and includes more than $85 million from the Bank’s concessional financing window, the African Development Fund, a mix of Partial Credit Guarantees totaling $994.3 million across some sections of the railway, complemented by $247 million from the Government of Tanzania in counterpart financing. Initial disbursement from the African Development Fund and partner, the OPEC Fund, is expected by July 2025.
Adesina said, “This railway line is a cornerstone of East Africa’s regional integration vision, aimed at delivering a modern, cost-effective, and high-capacity transport system anchored on the port of Dar es Salaam and linking landlocked nations.”
“Our shift from traditional road systems to integrated transport solutions is helping position Tanzania as a key logistics and trade hub in the region,” he added.
Accompanied by Adesina, President Suluhu Hassan travelled across more than 30 kilometers of the Dodoma Outer Ring Road, stopping along the way at the Bank-funded Msalato International Airport which is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. The state-of-the-art airport features a 3.6-kilometre landing strip—one of the longest in East Africa, with a capacity to accommodate Airbus A380 aircraft.
The African Development Bank has provided over $198 million to finance the Msalato International Airport project with $23 million coming from the African Development Fund and $50 million from the African Grow Together Fund.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
Excellent reading!
The inevitability of 2-Sovereign States as a solution to the dialogue process is not only Shunned profusely the mere notion of it stupefies the people of Somalia. They neither desire Equal political distribution along a 2-state divide nor do they have any intention of creating a functional state on the basis of inclusivity and consensus. Their only vision is to prolong somali suffering by a sustained entanglement of political affairs of the 2-states of Somaliland and Somalia.
Our Population must be educated in understanding these vile vermin that believe they will be allowed to witness a single moment of peace in their dustbin state until they are willing to respect all their neighboring states. I am predominantly offended by the shear Naivety of Somaliland politicians and Media outlets that tend to avoid the proper demonizing of our true enemy. In a War of words Somaliland has not retailed even once in 22years of us reclaiming our independence from the 1960Union. Silence does not equate to chivalry, silence has not stamped out the filth that emanates from the enemy, silence has not and will never convert that enemy to our friends. Somaliweyn is dead since Djibouti, Kilil and NFD no longer wish to be part of that Dreaded Union and as such our enemy is fully aware of the importance to Somaliland of regaining is full international recognition. After 22 years of unadulterated animosity they are finally faced with a penultimate anticlimax of their 22years of self delusion and blatant lies. It is the most crucial time in the history of Somaliland and this even upon us should be used to unite the Majority.
As long as we're aware of the fact who our foes are, we're in a good shape. We're in a race so we need to row the boat in the same direction and respect the rules of the game….As it stands right now we're a candidate for the gold metal.
Somalia, in the meantime is not even in the race, it's on the side lines holding a secret poster that reads "fail Somaliland faill" whereas the rest of the world is cheering up for us..
Perfect and upto the mark..Couldn't agree more. Man you are a solid unwavering prick to the
lyks of Kayse the maverick dissenter cheap cowboy. Where is he hiding? Your commandeering
universal facts are proving effective resounding treats to look after this Kayse chap and his devilish
evil adds.
Cheers
Y'all talking what seems a far fetched dream. A child should first learn how to walk before running and that is exactly what Somaliland needs at this junction. Charity begins at home first and so as the justics we are demanding from others. Let us first treat our SL-ers equally, give all the opportunity to serve their country, stop xenophobias against certain sectors of our populace, and once we do all these good deeds and others y'all eloquently talked about then and only then we will be in a strong position to demand our independence in unison. If not we will bite the dust, Iam optimistic though
far soomaaliga siyaad barre iyo nin marexan hirgaliyay. siyad barre funded the project and the shire jaamac axmed of marexan clan from galgaduud region founded the system. i see the haters are using my invention to conduct their "election" campaign
Tell that to 50-Cent who toured the Gheto and it's Bantu offspring majority. Dude your people left Somali soil bare-foot thanx to Caydiid
Bah dil intaa ka xun lama arag.
According to the recent convention held in Djibouti there were no credits given to any Marerxaraan. If Siyad bare could he would claim first Moon landing in the name of Marexaar.
you don't know nothing buuxiye ! did you even know that syad wasn't so popular in his
own clan ? Syad legacy is full of mistake and crimes but Qabil is not one ! if he were a tribal leader
he would have developt his home region of bay and bakool !
salum alaikum muslim brothers and sisters can you plz help me because i dont really know which party i should pickplz help me with this decision my mum said all of em are izaaq and am a darood infact am from laascaanood i respect somliland very well but again its a hard decision which one to pick
Ask your mum if she's a good Somalilander.
Cheers.
LOOL Mo Cheers, what's Leeban on about, waaba nin walan. help me with this decision kulaha, bal wuxuu ku mashquulsan yahay eega.
@osman Qaal
are you nuts, i guess that's why more international delegates are flying to Somalia and pledging support Somalia. Also most consider Somaliland State of Somalia. So please stop touting your own horn when your not even winning. That only makes you seem desperate and losing sense of reality.
This International delegates are flying to Somalia because of their on interest not for the interest of the Somali people.
tellmanutz,
That's your take, my is different. You've probably been in a comma for the last 21 yrs. As I'm typing up this piece right now, I consider Somalia is a hell hole politically, I have no bad feelings about it's citizens though, I always wish them well.
If your theme is a support from outside, we're totally in a different league. I would be more interested in your argument if you could brag about the long coast, untapped natural resources, determination of your fellow citizens etc…
my=mine….sorry
You seem like a piratical person, So please explain to me why you think leaving Somalia all together is such a good idea.
Why is it, when asked questions like these, pro secessionist tend to bring up Siade Barre. We all know what (good and wrong) this man has done. Why is it pro secessionist tend to blame all Somali's for the past grievance committed by a group of soldiers that usurped the people and the Government of the time. We all know that this man and group he lead ,governed in a authoritarian fashion fashion.
Why can't the secessionist group work just as hard and diligent to better Somalia, and make sure crimes of the past don't occur again, or that no Somali suffers biased policy's ever again.
Why is it that secessionist claim to speak for all the community's of the North West, yet alienate and side line all other community's to the point that they have established their own regional states.
How will you stop other community's who perceive this whole notion of independence as a one tribe Government, who wishes to impose political dominance.
Geezer (PIS)
With this comment you're in the territory you know who so stop the period.
Also I want to remind my fellow and beloved Landers that what folks like Kayse want to do is distract us from our mission to make this country great!
So lets focus extra hard on how we can make this Republic stronger we owe that much to our those who sacrificed so much for this day!
Every time they post a hateful comment, I want a Lander to put a comment with a solution to any problem we face in our nation. Every time they post some rubbish I want a Lander to post a new angle, a new idea of making what we currently have even stronger.
Lets use their hate to our advantage! Lets make it a challenge whoever can come up with the most ideas gets a free $100 ( or whatever) gift card to the shop of their choosing etc….
I aslo Challenge Fa q@ @shawipress that instead of giving our enemies a voice on our media platforms that it once and for all prove its allegiance to Somaliland and its people by holding a online contest to its readers on how to make Somalilander better! Challenge our young and old from home and the diaspora to contribute meaningful ideas and then reward with acknowledgement on your site, perhaps even an interview! I DARE YOU! CAAARRRRR!
@ComeAgain
I am the biggest and baddest Fa q@ @sh ever walked on this f**kig earth. when I was little boy me mum used to showered me with the blood of a dead animal which I assume was a freshly dismember goat. whenever me mum cuts the throat of goat I was usually given a bucket full of blood. I thought I was a vampire. how cool!!!
One day I asked me mom why am I so different from other boys and she said other boys are useless hawiya morons and I am the chosen one AKA the next Fa q@ @sh leader.
I have almost completed my mission.
First infiltrate the Hargeisa locals = Done
Second marry a native hargeisa women = Done with Three kids.
Third become the mayor of hargeisa = Almost
Fourth Destroy The Ethiopian stooge (SNM) = In the near future
Fifth seize power in a military coup in (Mogadishu) = In the near future
Sixth revive the idea of a Greater Somalia ideology = In the near future
Seventh Destroy Ethiopian ad Kenya = In the near future
Eighth Strong and United Somalia = In the near future
LONG LIVE Fa q@ @sh
But how all that could workout when Mogadiscio new Govt supported by foreign powers have
almost succeeded in pushing the Alshabab fighters to the Puntland Regions where the fighters
are now engaged deadly battles with the Puntland Districts? Looks the Shabab fighters woudl
concentrate on Puntland, Jubbaland, Gedoland etc?
Cheers.
LOL Geezer youre a sicko :p
Puntlandgeezer is stupid. Let him deal with alshabaab kkkk
Iam reer koonfur from Mogadishu to reer waqooyi, i believe that all somalis are happy to see maamulka Somaliland and our brothers dir isaaq to live in peace. Dirta waqooyi, Hawiye, Darood, Raxanwein are brothers and sisters. Allah swt adviced the muslims to unite, therefore i urge my isaaq brothers and sisters to strive for unity and peace amongst all somalis. A clan cannot break down somalis, and terrorist group cannot continue to terrorize us in our country.
Waxaan u rajaynayaa Soomaaliya guul iyo midnimo buuxda.
instead of coming on the internet and telling issaqs to help other somalis (hawiyes), why dont you help your people yourself.
kaboon, iam helping my people and they are all somalis. We must help to rebuilt our country. Mogadishu is welcoming many isaaq seeking work mashallah.
How about mogadisho takes it's 100,000 refugees in hargaisa and burco instead of welcoming issaqs. Why can't you hawiye and daroods live without issaq.
We hawiye and darood cannot allow isaaq to break down our country. Without Xamar signature you wont get recognition.
Iam reer koonfur from Mogadishu talking to reer waqooyi, i believe that all somalis are happy to see maamulka Somaliland and our brothers dir isaaq to live in peace. Dirta waqooyi, Hawiye, Darood, Raxanwein are brothers and sisters. Allah swt adviced the muslims to unite, therefore i urge my isaaq brothers and sisters to strive for unity and peace amongst all somalis and not to strive for hatred and disunity amongst somalis. We are one nation, one ethnic group, we are muslims, speak one language.
A clan cannot break down somalis, and terrorist group cannot continue to terrorize us in our country.
Waxaan u rajaynayaa Soomaaliya guul iyo midnimo buuxda.
Why do yo need issaqs though?
All clans need to stick with unity of Somalia. We can and will not allow disunity. Minister Fowziyo is proof that many isaaq want unity.
Somaliaunity bro what you are saying may become the subject for future talks between the two
only Govts of Hargeisa and Mogadiscio, if and when the reer Koonfur from the capital Mogadiscio
central Govt includes Djibouti into the fold of one nation. Without this happening forget de jure
Somaliland to simply become reunited with the Mogadiscio Somalia Govt.
2 way state solution is on the table. This time and space the Govt of HSM has a good open ended
chance to seriously deal with the legit position of Somaliland or else like the C/salad Arta TFG,
another hawiye Mogadiscio opportunity would twist into another failure!, where Somaliland would
stick hardcore to their legit demands thus losing nothing except maybe short of recognition which
could come about from other directions bcos of many options supporting the Somaliland political
stance?
Cheers.
nice said Mohamed i never understand why walanweyn always welcome traitors somali of Djibouti even accept their soldier in their ground (sic!) while they request SL to keep fake and unfinished union becoz of BS somalinimo! Really hypocrite reer koonfur..
@ tellmenuttz
you are right bro we cant separate from the south without other minority approval i agree with you.
and then again i don't like the UN.
puntlandgeezer cousin I'm with you 100%
that's Every Darood's ambition, Bring back Greater Somalia, destroy Kenya and Ethiopia, make Somalia the strongest and the wealthiest nation, give the minority's rights and rule Somalia until doomsday.
don't worry Hawie are just temporary in Mogadishu. Only Darood can lead Somalia, next four years we focus on uniting the children Abdirahman bin Isma'il al-Jabarti.
LONG LIVE FAQASH AKA the chosen ones.
Lulu lala..AL-jabarti in Yemen means saab of Yemen..Does that explain that Darood is really
from the Yemeni Saab untouchables?
Cheers.
I heard Abdirahman bin Isma'il al-Jabarti aka father darood was a thief from Yemen who escaped Yemen after he stole a pair of sandals from a mosque one day.
lol what's going on kaboon? I also heard Pharoph was a thief aka funeral graveyards gatekeeper
to look after the dead rituals and lyk Kayse planned his subversive overthow campaigns conspiracies
against the King of Egypt? Do you think that he was another Al-Jabarti who also escaped from Yemen?
Cheers.
mahamed cheer/kaabon I heard isaaq was a black slave in the middle east who was shipped as slave to somalia's costliness, that's why people call you iidooors. maybe if you stop worrying about the noble duriyad of Doorad you will able to find your roots somewhere in Cameroon
But innovation comes from people meeting up in the hallways or calling each other at 10:30 at night with a new idea, or because they realized something that shoots holes in how we've been thinking about a problem.
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