Africa: AfDB Appoints Veteran Media Strategist Maximilian Jarrett As Manager of Editorial and Media Relations

4 August 2025
FrontPageAfrica (Monrovia)
By Fpa Staff Reporter

Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire — The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has appointed Mr. J. Max Bankole Jarrett as the new Manager of its Editorial and Media Relations Division (PCER1), a strategic unit within the Bank's Communication and External Relations Department.

A Monrovia born dual British-Liberian national with over 35 years of professional experience, Jarrett brings a wealth of knowledge in broadcast media, strategic communications, executive office operations, and African economic and political affairs.. His appointment is effective 1.August. 2025.

Jarrett began his career as a radio producer with the BBC World Service in London in 1990, where he worked for 11 years before moving into international development policy coordination anf advocacy with the United Nations. He has since held several high-profile roles, including most recently, Director of Strategy and Delivery in the Office of the AfDB President Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina since 2023.

His new role will see him lead the team responsible for the Bank's editorial and media relations efforts--crafting and managing content across platforms, from press releases and digital publications to social media and stakeholder communications. The division plays a key role in amplifying the Bank's visibility, shaping narratives around its development impact, and ensuring the public, partners, and stakeholders are well-informed about the Bank's mission and achievements.

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Jarrett said he felt "the pull to once again engage more directly, day-to-day, with the media and communication issues" , signaling a hands-on approach to his new leadership post at Africa' premier financial institution.

Jarrett's experience spans major multilateral institutions. He worked closely with former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan at the Africa Progress Panel, where he served as Director-in-Charge of the Geneva-based Secretariat in 2017. He has also held influential roles at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and the Coalition for Dialogue on Africa (CoDA), advising African leaders and driving institutional partnerships.

He holds a Master of Arts degree from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London ( where he authored an awarding winning 1996 dissertation on the war in his homeland entitled "Civil War in Liberia: A Manipulation of Chaos ?) and a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).

Jarrett's appointment is seen as a strategic move by the AfDB to bolster its global media footprint and sharpen the Bank's storytelling about Africa's development challenges and successes.

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