President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has expressed gratitude to Kenya’s President, William Ruto, after being conferred with the country’s highest national honour, the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart (C.G.H).
Sharing pictures from the ceremony on Instagram, Adesina wrote, “Thank you very much Y.E. @williamsamoeiruto, President of the Republic of Kenya, for the exceptional honour of conferring on me the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart (C.G.H), Kenya’s highest national distinction and honour. I am most humbled and grateful. Asante Sana!
”
Adesina, a former Nigerian Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, received the honour at the State House, Nairobi, on Monday, March 17, 2025.
President Ruto acknowledged his contributions to Kenya’s Last Mile Connectivity and Lake Turkana Wind Projects, among other achievements across Africa.
“I am very proud to be the President that confers on you this well-deserved honour of the people of Kenya.
“It is an honour that I have the privilege as President but on behalf of the government and the people of Kenya to award you for the distinguished service, the commitment you have demonstrated, and the passion you have worked with to see to it that in every way even before you became the President of the African Development Bank.”
Flanked by his wife, Grace and notable figures including Ovation Media Group Chairman, Dele Momodu, Adesina thanked Ruto for the recognition.
“Your Excellency President Ruto, I am most grateful to you for conferring me today with the prestigious honour of the Chief of Order of the Golden Heart (C.G.H), Kenya’s highest and most distinguished honour.
“I am very humbled for your incredible kindness. What a great honour, what a rare privilege, what a historic recognition.
“The country that I love so much, Kenya, loves me back, appreciates and celebrates my leadership at the African Development Bank. Thank you, Mr. President.”
He further dedicated the award to his family and the AfDB team.
“On behalf of my dear wife and your sister, Grace, the Board of Directors at the African Development Bank, our boards of governance, the management and staff of the African Development Bank and on my own behalf, I accept this honour with great humility.”
The Kenyan State House, in a statement on its verified X handle, also highlighted President Ruto’s appreciation for AfDB’s partnership in Kenya’s development over the past 60 years.
“President William Ruto has thanked the African Development Bank (AfDB) for working with Kenya to drive critical areas of the country’s growth in the past 60 years.
“The President made the remarks when he conferred AfDB President and Chairman of the Board Akinwumi Adesina with the Chief of the Order of Golden Heart (C.G.H) award on Monday at State House, Nairobi.”
Akinwumi Adesina was first elected as AfDB President in 2015 and has remained in office since then.
