Economy Highlights

Focus on BOAD’s Chairman Christian Adovelande

Christian N. Adovelande, chairman of the West African Development Bank
Christian N. Adovelande, chairman of the West African Development Bank

BY ALAN GREEN

Christian N. Adovelandé, chairman and CEO of the West African Development Bank, has made an outstanding impact on the financial institution, proving to be one of the most qualified and dedicated development bankers in the entire West African region.

  • A “Baa1” rating by Moody’s in 2015, which translates to the fourth best grade given by the agency to African financial institutions, thereby ranking BOAD right behind the African Development Bank.

  • A “BBB” rating by Fitch, the second best grade given by the agency to African institutions, again placing BOAD right behind The African Development Bank. Both agencies confirmed the same grades in 2016 and 2017.

  • This high credibility rate paved the way for the bank to mobilize a cumulative amount of USD b1,600 on the international market, to the satisfaction of its member-states.

Christian N. Adovelandé, who served as chairman of the ECOWAS Bank For Investment and Development from June 2002 until he became chairman of the West African Development Bank, started his fulfilling career right here at BOAD in April 1978. He worked his way from the position of Financial Analyst 40 years ago, to the top position. Armed with an advanced degree in Financing and Banking and a Master’s in Economics supplemented by an advanced training course in capital risk/capital investment at SIPAREX (France) and TUNINVEST (Tunisia), this native of Benin has left an indelible mark on West Africa’s most robust economic engine.

See the full story about the West African Development Bank at this link.