AfDB’s Mamady Souaré Honored as His Mission Concludes

Bangui, October 16, 2025 – The Central African Republic paid tribute to Mamady Souaré, Country Manager of the African Development Bank (AfDB), whose five-year tenure (2020–2025) came to an end this month. The ceremony, held in Bangui, was presided over by Prime Minister Félix Moloua, and attended by government officials, development partners, and representatives of the international community.

A Distinguished Honor for a Distinguished Partner

The highlight of the event was the decoration of Souaré as Commander of the Order of Central African Merit. The honor recognizes his outstanding contributions to the country’s development and his commitment to strengthening cooperation between the AfDB and the Central African Republic.

Appointed in 2020, Souaré took office at a time of profound socio-economic challenges. Under his leadership, the AfDB Country Office became a key partner in advancing national priorities through the mobilization of major financing packages and the implementation of structural projects in infrastructure, energy, governance, human development, and institutional capacity building — delivering tangible improvements to the lives of Central Africans and helping to reinforce confidence in the country’s long-term prospects.

Words of Gratitude and Friendship

In his address, Souaré expressed his gratitude and motivated the country to continue its path: “I would like to invite the government to continue in this dynamic of pragmatism and efficiency in executing the structuring projects of the National Development Plan, which remains the compass of development,” he said. “The foundations are solid, and I remain confident that this trajectory will continue.”

Prof. Richard Filakota, Minister of Economy, Planning and International Cooperation praised Souaré’s dedication, describing his departure as both a loss and a source of pride. “We have built an excellent working relationship and a partnership, but I am glad, because Mamady Souaré is now called to new responsibilities in Paris. It is a pleasure and a pride to see him continue to uphold the values of African development,” Filakota said.

He recalled that flagship projects such as the Corridor 13 development stood as testament to Souaré’s effective advocacy: “His work perfectly illustrates the strength of our collaboration with the African Development Bank,” Filakota noted, reaffirming the government’s commitment to maintaining this strong partnership in line with the National Development Plan.

A Legacy of Partnership and Progress

With the African Development Bank’s assistance, major reforms and investments have been launched — notably in transport infrastructure, renewable energy, and human capital development. The conferment of the Order of Central African Merit highlights not only Souaré’s professional journey but also symbolizes the enduring friendship and cooperation between the African Development Bank and the Central African Republic.