AfDB director general dies in Southern Africa

The management of the African Development Bank (AfDB) has announced the death of Dr. Tonia Kandiero, Director-General of the Southern Africa Regional Development and Business Delivery Office.

An AfDB release issued on Thursday, 29 June says the bank official passed away on [Wednesday] evening in Pretoria. It describes the late Dr. Kandiero as a highly dedicated, respected and well-loved person with an impressive record of achievements at the Bank. A Malawian national, it says she had worked extensively across Southern Africa and brought deep experience in government, academia and international financial institutions.

Dr. Kandiero joined the AfDB in 2007 as a Senior Research Economist, rising quickly through the Bank to the post she held up to her death. She was promoted last year, and she had previously been the Bank’s Resident Representative for Tanzania, where her astute ability as a manager was highly appreciated by the government and all the international development partners.

Conveying his message to the AfDB staff on Thursday, Bank President Akinwumi Adesina said “We will greatly Miss Dr. Kandiero’s tremendous dedication, commitment, passion for development and friendship.”

He says words fail him in expressing the level of sadness, adding that it is a huge and devastating loss for the Bank and for her colleagues and many friends. “We are praying for strength, comfort and fortitude for her family and loved ones,” he concludes. –Press release