Tanzania Names Major Road After AfDB President Akinwumi Adesina

By Adonis Byemelwa

In a moving gesture of appreciation, Tanzania has named the 112-kilometre Dodoma Outer Ring Road after the outgoing President of the African Development Bank, Dr Akinwumi Adesina.

The announcement was made during a high-profile inspection tour led by President Samia Suluhu Hassan—an event that brought together government officials, community leaders, and development partners.

Dr Adesina, joined by his wife and former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, was warmly received by a jubilant crowd in Dodoma, Tanzania’s fast-developing administrative capital.

As the entourage moved along the sweeping curve of the nearly completed highway, it wasn’t just concrete and asphalt on display—it was a living symbol of regional growth and partnership.

Speaking with evident admiration, President Samia lauded Adesina for his remarkable support of Tanzania’s infrastructure ambitions. “You can see that I have been accompanied by Dr Adesina, the President of the African Development Bank Group, during this inspection tour of the ring road,” she began, her tone both proud and sincere

.“Under his leadership, Tanzania has benefited immensely from several strategic infrastructure projects. As he nears the end of his term, I wish to express my heartfelt appreciation for his support of our country. May God bless his future endeavours.”

With that, she made it official: “To honour his contribution, and that of the African Development Bank in strengthening our transport sector, I have approved the Minister of Works’ proposal to name the Dodoma outer ring road after him. So, I now officially declare that the Dodoma Outer Ring Road shall be called Dr Akinwumi Adesina Road.”

The newly christened Adesina Road isn't just another road project. Designed to ease traffic congestion and enhance regional connectivity, it represents a strategic artery that will shape Dodoma’s evolution as a national hub.

 In tandem with the Msalato International Airport—another project underpinned by AfDB support—the road will serve as a key link in a broader vision to transform central Tanzania into a driver of commerce, tourism, and innovation.

Minister of Works Abdallah Ulega captured the ambition clearly: “The Adesina Road will support Dodoma’s expansion as a key economic and administrative hub. This is more than a road—it’s a driver of growth.”

For Dr Adesina, the moment was deeply personal. Visibly moved by the honour, he reflected on what it meant both professionally and emotionally. “This is an extraordinary honour. I am humbled and deeply grateful,” he said. “I have always believed in Africa’s potential, and Tanzania holds a special place in my heart.”

Adesina’s leadership at the African Development Bank has been widely celebrated for its clarity of vision and inclusive growth agenda. His legacy, now etched into the very landscape of Tanzania, is a testament to what development partnership can achieve when anchored in mutual respect and shared goals.

For many in attendance and across the continent, the naming of this road is more than just symbolic—it is a tribute to enduring impact, to leadership that connects people, places, and possibilities.