According to Ms. Kaba, beyond its harmful effects, the Covid-19 pandemic is forcing us to take up the challenge of digitizing our economies.

“In this respect, we must be able to make the most of this digitization and the organization of the AfDB's 2020 Annual Meetings, in particular the election of its Chairman by electronic means, appears to be a real step forward in our working methods.

This is an opportunity for me to congratulate the Bank for all the assurances given on the credibility and confidentiality of the electoral process.

In view of the interest in the use of this technology, I would like to encourage the Bank's Management to provide substantial support to African countries individually and collectively in order to strengthen national and regional digital infrastructure for greater connectivity”, recommends the Chair of the Board of Governors.

In her speech, she also mentioned the seventh general capital increase of the AfDB obtained during the extraordinary meeting of the Board of Governors of the institution in Abidjan on October 31, 2019.

This increase worth 115 billion, she recalls, the largest in the history of the Bad, increases its capital from 93 billion to 208 billion US dollars.

It not only allows the bank to maintain its excellent AAA rating, but also to further support the development efforts of African countries.

Nialé Kaba did not fail to raise the management of the crisis within the ADB in relation to the whistleblowers' complaint against the president.

In this regard, she commended the efforts of all the Governors and the Bank team who were able to adhere to her proposals for concerted and consensual solutions.

Mrs. Kaba reiterated her thanks to the Panel of three high personalities under the leadership of Mrs. Mary Robinson "whose work in complete independence exculpates President Adesina against the said allegations, but above all reinforces the credibility of the organs of the institution, a guarantee of its stability and its reputation vis-à-vis its shareholders.

Finally, the Minister of Planning pointed to the historic decision of the Bank's Board of Directors which approved the Rapid Response Facility against Covid-19, endowed with 10 billion US dollars, intended to finance crisis exit plans. and assisting regional member countries and the private sector.

She praised the leadership of President Adésina and the initiatives taken to accelerate Africa's development and help the continent mitigate the impact of the health crisis.