AfDB Wins Global Awards for Gender Equality Video Showcasing Adesina’s Leadership
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has earned two prestigious international awards for a video highlighting President Akinwumi A. Adesina’s commitment to gender equality.
The video, African Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina honored as UN Women #HeForShe champion, won a Bronze Award at the 46th Annual Telly Awards and a Gold Award at the 2025 AVA Digital Awards. Both competitions recognize excellence in communications and digital storytelling.
The 75-second piece, produced by AfDB’s Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) initiative, was screened at the 2024 United Nations General Assembly to celebrate Dr. Adesina and other global gender champions. It spotlighted his landmark achievements, including the creation of AFAWA, which has already disbursed $1.33 billion through 185 financial institutions to women-led businesses across 45 African countries.
“The Tellys are unique in our ability to lift up truly excellent video work, no matter the platform, the screen or the method of production,” said Telly Awards Managing Director Amanda Needham.
AfDB officials welcomed the recognition, noting that it underscores the Bank’s role in empowering women entrepreneurs across the continent.
“We aimed to visualize how President Adesina made mainstreaming gender central to his Bank presidency. We are thrilled to be recognized,” said Dr. Beth Dunford, AfDB Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development.
Dr. Jemimah Njuki, Director for Gender, Women and Civil Society, stressed the impact of AfDB’s work: “Africa’s women entrepreneurs are the engines of African economies. AFAWA is scaling up access to finance, showing how the Bank is turning demographic into dividend.”
With these wins, AfDB communications have now secured 11 international awards in the past decade, reflecting the institution’s growing influence in global development storytelling.
