World Bulletin / News Desk

Nigerian Agriculture Minister Akinwumi Adesina on Friday was elected president of the African Development Bank.

The 55-year old Adesina won 58 percent of the votes at a meeting in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

“We can make Africa the pride of the world in terms of having a lot of inclusive growth,” Adesina said in a speech after his election was announced.

He will succeed Donald Kaberuka as head of the bank on Sept. 1. Opposing candidates were Chad Finance Minister Kordje Bedoumra and Cape Verde Finance Minister Cristina Duarte.

The African Development Bank is supported by 54 countries with the object of investing in social projects in Africa.