African Development Bank (AfDB) President Akinwunmi Adesina has received Kenya’s most prestigious national honor—the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart (CGH).

President William Ruto presented the award during a ceremony at Nairobi’s State House on Monday, March 17, 2025, recognizing Adesina’s significant contributions over the past decade, including his leadership at both the AfDB and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).

Adesina joins an elite group of just 20 recipients, including Kenya’s founding president Jomo Kenyatta, Queen Elizabeth II, former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, and South African leader Nelson Mandela.

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Upon receiving the honor, Adesina expressed his profound gratitude: “Your Excellency President Ruto, I am most grateful for your conferring on me today the prestigious honour of the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart C.G.H, Kenya’s highest and most distinguished honour. I am greatly humbled by your incredible kindness! What a rare privilege! What a historic recognition!”