Olalekan Akinbo

Ọlalekan is a Plant Breeder by training. Currently working as Ag. Head Genome Editing Programme, African Union Development Agency - NEPAD

[AUDA-NEPAD @NEPAD_Agency]

Recently in Luanda, leadership met purpose.

Our CEO H.E. @nardosbthomas was received by H.E. João Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola @jlprdeangola.

The conversation was grounded and direct. How to turn ambition into delivery. How to move from plans to projects that people can feel.

The exchange focused on priority infrastructure and human capital, tightly aligned to Angola’s national priorities and the continental promise of Agenda 2063. Ports, corridors, energy, skills. Not as isolated ideas, but as a system that unlocks jobs, trade, and resilience.

The timing mattered.

During Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa Week 2025, hosted in Angola, two messages stood out clearly. First, Africa must accelerate project preparation so bankable infrastructure reaches construction faster, not years later. Second, delivery improves when countries anchor PIDA projects in national plans and build local skills to operate and maintain them.

Angola made that case convincingly. Infrastructure must serve industrialisation. Human capital must be developed alongside concrete and steel. Coordination matters. So does speed.

This is what implementation looks like. Political will at the highest level, matched with technical depth and continental alignment. Step by step, turning vision into performance.

#Agenda2063 #TheAfricaWeWant @amibiaka @SymerreGrey

[AUDA-NEPAD @NEPAD_Agency]

As we close #CAADPPP2025, one powerful scene stole the spotlight — the Youth Chef Challenge and the launch of the CAADP #Youth4Nutrition Rwanda Chapter.

It wasn’t just about cooking. It was about identity, innovation, and action — young chefs turning Africa’s rich ingredients into symbols of pride and purpose.

Chef Claude 🇷🇼, representing the Chefs Manifesto, reminded everyone that food is more than a meal — it’s a story of farmers, traditions, and collaboration. His call was simple but profound: work with local farmers, celebrate African produce, and make healthy African meals the norm, not the exception.

Here in Kigali, we were reminded that Africa’s food future is in capable hands — young, creative, and committed.

#CAADP #ADFNS2025 #Youth4Nutrition #AfricanCuisine #Agenda2063

[Nardos BEKELE-THOMAS @nardosbthomas]

I was pleased to meet @azouznasri2025, President of Algeria’s Council of the Nation.
We discussed strengthening the partnership between Algeria and @NEPAD_Agency, Algeria’s active participation as a founding member, and the immense progress on the Trans-Saharan Highway, a continental asset and an emblem of Africa’s growing capacity to deliver on infrastructure commitments, representing both a physical and political milestone in achieving African connectivity and industrial integration.

#Agenda2063 #Infrastructure #Innovation #RegionalIntegration #InvestmentInAfrica
#lfs #luandafinancingsummit

[Olalekan Akinbo @akinbooa]

The new era on the go. Go Africa. Go Agenda 2063. Go CAADPKampala @EstherineF @selemanykitenge @NEPAD_Agency @nardosbthomas

[AUDA-NEPAD @NEPAD_Agency]

A New Dawn for African Agriculture: From Commitment to Delivery

The 21st CAADP Partnership Platform in Kigali, Rwanda, is more than a meeting — it’s a defining moment for Africa’s agrifood systems.

Today, Mme. @EstherineF, AUDA-NEPAD’s Director for Agriculture, Food Security and Environmental Sustainability, delivered an inspiring opening address that marked the transition from the Malabo era to the bold and visionary Kampala CAADP Declaration (2026–2035).

Her message resonated deeply: the time for planning is over. The coming decade must be measured in results — not resolutions.

“Kampala must be different… because Kampala must be about delivery and transformation — measured in hectares restored, markets expanded, youth employed, women empowered, communities nourished, value chains strengthened, and agro-processing industries thriving to turn Africa’s agricultural potential into prosperity.”

This is Africa’s decade of impact. A collective call to action to build resilient, inclusive, and sustainable agrifood systems that drive zero hunger and equitable livelihoods by 2035.

As AUDA-NEPAD, we stand ready to support Member States in turning this vision into reality — through partnerships, innovation, and delivery that leave no one behind.

Let the spirit of Kigali ignite Africa’s readiness to implement! 🇷🇼

#CAADP #ADFNS #FoodSecurity #KampalaDeclaration #AUDA_NEPAD #AfricaAgriculture #ZeroHunger #Kigali #Rwanda #Agenda2063

[Olalekan Akinbo @akinbooa]

@NEPAD_Agency @EstherineF The new era on the go. Go Africa. Go Agenda 2063. Go CAADPKampala @EstherineF @selemanykitenge @NEPAD_Agency @nardosbthomas

[Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala @NOIweala]

In Abuja, Nigeria visiting H.E President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We had a good discussion on the state of the economy and I shared with him that, whilst my perception is that the ongoing reforms are in the right direction and the economy is now stabilizing, there is a need to focus on building more social safety nets and growing the economy. I explained that Nigerians are experiencing hardship from the reforms and putting in place more programs to help people especially poor and vulnerable people manage the hardship is very important. At the same time it is necessary to start work on growing the economy to create more jobs and put money in people’s pockets. That is why programs like the @WTO-@ITCnews WEIDE Fund that empowers women to trade digitally are critical. Click on the link and listen to the video.
https://t.co/3GWhHuoLuG

[Nardos BEKELE-THOMAS @nardosbthomas]

An enriching exchange with H.E. Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, UAE, on strengthening relations between the UAE and AUDA-NEPAD, particularly regarding high-impact water priority projects on the continent. We look to build a strategic partnership with the UAE that will ensure we support African member states in preparation for bankable, investor-ready water projects.

#AUAIPWaterInvestmentSummit

[AUDA-NEPAD @NEPAD_Agency]

Today on the sidelines of AU-AIP Africa Water Investment Summit in Cape Town, Our CEO @nardosbthomas met with South Africa President H.E @CyrilRamaphosa and highlighted shared commitments towards Africa’s development trajectory within the context of #Agenda2063.

The CEO expressed appreciation for the invitation by President Ramaphosa to serve as Champion of the Global Outlook Council on Water Investment alongside a number of Heads of State and Eminent Persons from across the Globe.

The CEO also commended President Cyril Ramaphosa for championing the Ubuntu Legacy Initiative aimed at Accelerating Cross-Border Infrastructure—a flagship legacy of South Africa’s #G20 Presidency.

Jointly developed with the AUDA-NEPAD, @AfDB_Group, AIIB, and @WorldBankAfrica, this initiative paves the way for inclusive growth by tackling the challenges of planning and financing vital infrastructure across borders. This initiative consolidates South Africa’s leadership role in championing transformative continental infrastructure projects as illustrated by its Chairmanship of the Presidential Infrastructure Championing Initiative (PICI) for over a decade.

The CEO briefed President Ramaphosa on AUDA-NEPADs emerging regional programme on accelerating access to Water and Sanitation in East and Southern Africa.

[Nigeria Stories @NigeriaStories]

JUST IN: Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, has warned Christians against prioritizing material wealth over their spiritual well-being, describing such pursuits as “an act of stupidity.”

[Nardos BEKELE-THOMAS @nardosbthomas]

Today, I paid a courtesy call to H.E. Ambassador Mohamed Khaled (PhD) @kled_mohamed, Permanent Representative of Algeria to the African Union, in Addis Ababa.

As one of the founding members of AUDA-NEPAD, Algeria’s vision and unwavering support have been pivotal in defining our agency’s mission and mandate.

Together, we reaffirmed our commitment to Agenda 2063’s blueprint for an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa—underscoring Algeria’s leadership in advancing regional integration, catalyzing inclusive industrialization, empowering our youth, and strengthening resilient infrastructure.

[Olalekan Akinbo @akinbooa]

AUDA-NEPADYoung scientists in genome editing will drive agriculture https://t.co/5RnMnnutIA

[Olalekan Akinbo @akinbooa]

Food Security: Expert urges adoption of sustainable agrifood systems - https://t.co/zSGRN2bLqb

[Olalekan Akinbo @akinbooa]

#NewProfilePic

[Olalekan Akinbo @akinbooa]

@selemanykitenge @Ratemo_Billy @Bongan @ARISEtv @nbma

[Frontiers - Bioengineering and Biotechnology @FrontBioeng]

New Research: Africa and zero hunger agenda: genome editing policy landscape, challenges and opportunities https://t.co/hsV7vfBzOP #FrontiersIn #Bioengineering #Biotechnology

[Olalekan Akinbo @akinbooa]

Africa Agenda 2063 #theafricawewant is a reality

[Frontiers - Bioengineering and Biotechnology @FrontBioeng]

New Research: Africa and zero hunger agenda: genome editing policy landscape, challenges and opportunities https://t.co/hsV7vfBzOP #FrontiersIn #Bioengineering #Biotechnology

[AUDA-NEPAD @NEPAD_Agency]

Our CEO, @nardosbthomas has been named among New African magazine's 100 Most Influential Africans of 2024 for her transformative leadership in advancing Africa's development agenda.

Read more: https://t.co/5o4nvu0fMU

[Olalekan Akinbo @akinbooa]

#NewProfilePic

[Seleman Yusuph Kitenge @selemanykitenge]

Insightful webinar titled "Integrating Genome Editing Learning Needs to Promote On-the-job Orientation in Institutions of Higher Learning in Africa – Perspectives from Malawi and Ghana (Part III). Register here:
https://t.co/JHvHvR90JB @NEPAD_Agency @akinbooa

[Seleman Yusuph Kitenge @selemanykitenge]

You're invited! Join our webinar

🗓️ Dec 05, 2024, 2:00 PM Harare/Pretoria

💡 Integrating Genome Editing Learning Needs to Promote On-the-job-orientation in Institutions of Higher Learning in Africa: Perspectives from Malawi and Ghana.

Register now: https://t.co/ldRnjlWxPK

[Seleman Yusuph Kitenge @selemanykitenge]

@akinbooa from @NEPAD_Agency will be speaking at MEF Leadership Forum Africa. Don’t miss out!