Tshabalala champions governance reforms to strengthen AfDB's development impact

Johannesburg - Following her candidacy announcement for the African Development Bank (AfDB) presidency, Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala has unveiled her vision for governance reforms. These are aimed at enhancing the institution's efficiency, transparency, and impact. Tshabalala believes that a well-governed AfDB will be the key driver in unlocking Africa's full economic potential. "Institutional governance is not just an administrative necessity—it is the backbone of impactful development," Tshabalala says. "The AfDB must not only mobilize more resources but also ensure that every investment delivers real, measurable results for Africa."

Building on the themes outlined in her candidacy announcement, Tshabalala envisions a more structured and accountable AfDB that can scale up operations without compromising project quality. She emphasizes the importance of strengthening governance structures to ensure that the institution's growth translates into tangible development. A core part of her plan involves creating a project-agnostic evaluation unit dedicated to ensuring that all funded projects are shovel-ready before approval, reducing risks associated with poor planning and execution.

Tshabalala also stresses the need for enhanced transparency in procurement and project monitoring, advocating for the use of digital tools to track spending, detect inefficiencies, and mitigate corruption risks. By leveraging technology, she believes that oversight can be significantly improved without excessive cost escalation. Moreover, Tshabalala supports shifting the Bank's focus toward larger, intra-regional infrastructure projects that connect African markets and boost trade, ensuring that investments drive long-term economic impact.

"Governance is not a secondary concern—it is the foundation of everything we do," Tshabalala emphasized. "Under my leadership, we will ensure that every decision, every project, and every investment is guided by principles of accountability, efficiency, and effectiveness."

Tshabalala's track record as Senior VP of the AfDB underscored the importance of independent project evaluations, and building upon this she is now advocating for a system where assessments of completed projects do not merely end up as reports but actively inform future decision-making. Strengthening the feedback loop within the institution, she argues, is critical to ensuring continuous institutional improvement. Swazi also believes that governance metrics should be embedded in lending policies from the outset, allowing for more rigorous due diligence when assessing project feasibility.

"Robust institutional governance is fundamental to sustainable development and economic advancement. It guarantees transparency, accountability, and confidence in leadership. Given the African Development Bank's crucial role in influencing the continent's future, it is essential that its leadership exemplifies these principles. Any candidate seeking to lead the AfDB must exhibit a dedication to these ideals, since they are crucial for promoting inclusive growth and prosperity throughout Africa" Mr Lesetja Kganyago, Governor of the South African Reserve Bank.

Tshabalala sees governance not as a secondary concern but as the foundation upon which the Bank's future success will be built. Her governance strategy aligns with her broader vision of making the AfDB a financially resilient, impact-driven institution. In her candidacy announcement, she outlined key priorities, including infrastructure development, private sector investment, and hybrid capital solutions. These themes are now reinforced with a strong governance framework designed to support their success.

Ensuring effective oversight of procurement processes remains a top priority for Tshabalala. Given that the AfDB allocates billions annually toward procurement, she advocates for smarter mechanisms to prevent inefficiencies and financial mismanagement. Strengthening due diligence in feasibility studies, she asserts, will prevent costly errors that emerge after funding is granted, ensuring that projects are bankable, sustainable, and aligned with national and regional development strategies.

The election for the next President by the Board of Governors of the AfDB will take place on 29 May 2025 during the Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.