This distinction recognises African personalities involved in the development of transport infrastructure on the continent. On March 31, 2022, the Selection Committee of The Africa Road Builders – Babacar Ndiaye Trophy nominated the President of the United Republic of Tanzania in Abuja, Nigeria. Samia Suluhu Hassan, laureate of the 2022 edition of this award recognizing African personalities committed to the development of transport infrastructure on the continent.
Samia Suluhu Hassan was honoured for her “personal leadership and huge commitments and investments” in expanding Tanzania’s roads and rail transportation network, the selection committee said. She succeeds President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari, laureate in 2021.The only woman and current head of state in Africa, Samia Suluhu Hassan came to power in March 2021 after the death of President John Magufuli, of whom she was vice-president.
In making its choice, the Selection Committee cited the US$290 million support of the African Development Bank for the revitalization of road, rail and air transport in Tanzania. It also took into account the $172.2 million contract with China Corporation Limited for the supply of 1,430 modern freight cars to the country for the implementation of the Tanzania Railways Corporation’s ambitious railway program. Finally, the Committee noted the official start of the construction of the historic project of the outer ring road of the city of Dodoma. The project was launched on 11 February by President Samia Hassan in the presence of the President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr Akinwumi A. Adesina.
“We extend our warmest congratulations to President Samia Hassan and the people of Tanzania. The award ceremony will take place at the final conference of The Africa Road Builders, which will take place on the margins of the next Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank,” the Selection Committee said.
Sponsored by the President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr Akinwumi A. Adesina, the Africa Road Builders Babacar Ndiaye Trophy is organized by Acturoutes, an information platform on infrastructure and the road network in Africa and the organization Médias pour les infrastructures et la finance en Afrique (MIFA), a network of African journalists specialized in road infrastructure.
This award was created in honour of Babacar Ndiaye, President of the African Development Bank Group from 1985 to 1995. Professor Carlos Lopes, former Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, is the Chairman of the Conference Bureau.
Distributed by APO Group
