Tanzania has formally recognised the legacy of Dr Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), by naming the newly completed Dodoma Outer Ring Road in his honour. The 112-kilometre dual carriageway will now be known as Dr Akinwumi Adesina Road, marking a significant gesture of appreciation for his leadership and the Bank’s role in transforming the country’s infrastructure and economy.
The announcement was made during a visit by Dr Adesina to Tanzania, where he toured several AfDB-financed projects alongside President Samia Suluhu Hassan. These include key transport and aviation developments such as the new Msalato International Airport and the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), which forms part of a strategic regional corridor linking Tanzania with Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Dodoma Outer Ring Road is a strategic component of the Cape to Cairo continental transport corridor and aims to ease congestion in Tanzania’s fast-growing administrative capital. The project received funding of $138 million from the African Development Bank, complemented by $42 million from the Africa Growing Together Fund and $34.69 million from the Tanzanian government.
Tanzania has benefited significantly from AfDB investments, with cumulative financing of $9 billion since 1971. Under Adesina’s leadership alone, the past decade has seen over $4.7 billion in funding approved, accounting for more than half of all Bank support to Tanzania to date. The portfolio spans critical sectors including transport, agriculture, energy, and education.
The Msalato International Airport project, also supported by the Bank, is set to enhance international connectivity for the Dodoma region. With over $198 million in financing from the African Development Bank and its partners, the airport will feature a 3.6-kilometre runway capable of handling large aircraft such as the Airbus A380. Completion is anticipated by the end of 2026.
Another highlight of Dr Adesina’s visit was the confirmation of the Bank’s role in mobilising $1.2 billion for the 651-kilometre extension of the SGR, through partnerships with institutions including Deutsche Bank and Société Générale. This financing arrangement, finalised during the 2024 Africa Investment Forum, includes over $85 million in concessional funds and substantial Partial Credit Guarantees totalling nearly $1 billion.
As part of the visit, Dr Adesina was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree from the University of Dar es Salaam in recognition of his leadership and contributions to public service and African development.
The events in Tanzania underscore both the scale of AfDB’s involvement in infrastructure-led growth and the high regard for Adesina’s stewardship in driving continental development. The naming of a major national road after the Bank president reflects the tangible impact of strategic partnerships in shaping Africa’s future.
