Mr. Thabo Thamane, CEO of the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA), Botswana, has completed his tenure as Chairman of the Association of African Development Finance Institutions (AADFI) at the 51st Ordinary General Assembly, held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Mr. Thamane was elected Chairman of AADFI in June 2019 during the 45th Ordinary General Assembly in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. His leadership was marked by significant transformation and notable achievements in advancing the Association’s mission. He successfully guided AADFI through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring the continuity of its operations and initiatives. In addition to his role at AADFI, Mr. Thamane served as Chairman of the World Federation of Development Financing Institutions (WFDFI) from June 2019 to March 2022. During this period, WFDFI and the International Development Finance Club (IDFC) collaborated with other partners to convene the global development bank summit – the Finance in Common Summit (FiCS).
Mr. Thamane worked closely with the AADFI Board to promote advocacy, partnerships, and collaboration, resulting in remarkable growth in the Association’s membership. This growth underscores the increasing value and relevance of AADFI in the development finance landscape. His tenure concluded as AADFI celebrated its golden jubilee in May 2025, marking the end of a significant chapter in the Association’s history. In line with AADFI tradition, Mr. Thamane has been recognized as an Honorary Chairman. The Association extends its sincere gratitude to Mr. Thamane for his dedicated service and outstanding leadership.