The African Development Bank Group categorically refutes the article published by Africa Intelligence on 21 March 2025, regarding the Bank's presidential recruitment process.

The Bank Group has not recruited, mandated or engaged a company or an individual to interview presidential candidates or participate in any other role regarding the presidential election process. The report by Africa Intelligence is false, misleading and reckless.

It is a matter of public knowledge that the election of the African Development Bank is the sole prerogative of the joint committee that comprises Bank shareholders. This is in accordance with the Bank's founding agreement and established protocols. The Bank itself plays no role in selecting, recruiting or shortlisting candidates.

Guidelines about the election of the Bank Group's president are publicly available on the Bank's website: https://www.afdb.org/en/about-us/organisational-structure/the-president/afdb-presidential-election

It's regrettable and deeply concerning that Africa Intelligence chose to publish such misleading information without verifying with the Bank Group or visiting its website. It is a serious dereliction of journalistic duty that is expected of any professional media practitioner.

The Bank Group urges the public and the media to exercise caution in the face of misleading and malicious narratives and to respect the integrity of the Bank's president election process.