Swazi Tshabalala, a distinguished financial strategist and former Senior Vice President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), has officially declared her candidacy for the Bank’s presidency, receiving full endorsement and support from the South African government.
South Africa's Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana praised Swazi Tshabalala as an "exceptional leader" with a proven track record in finance and infrastructure, believing she is the ideal candidate to lead the AfDB into a new era of financial resilience and impact-driven growth. Swazi Tshabalala’s vision centers on building a “financially strong, results-driven” AfDB that prioritizes infrastructure, expands innovative financing solutions, and strengthens partnerships to unlock Africa’s full economic potential.
Swazi Tshabalala has played a pivotal role in mobilizing capital for Africa’s most pressing development needs, from leading the Bank’s financial response to the COVID-19 pandemic to pioneering innovative funding mechanisms that have since been adopted by global financial institutions.
She emphasizes the importance of infrastructure development, believing that better roads, ports, and energy systems are key to Africa's growth. Swazi Tshabalala also aims to expand the use of new funding methods, such as hybrid capital financing, to attract more investment and ensure AfDB projects deliver real benefits to African people.
With a career spanning over three decades in infrastructure finance and economic development, and having held leadership roles at major financial institutions, Swazi Tshabalala brings a wealth of experience to her candidacy. The election for the AfDB presidency will be held in May 2025.