Dr Souley Amadou has been named General Counsel and Director of the Legal Service Department at the African Development Bank (AfDB).
According to a bank statement, Amadou’s appointment will take effect on November 1, 2021.
Amadou, a transactional lawyer, has more than 25 years of substantive legal work experience, including more than 20 years at the AfDB.
From 2015 to 2018, he also served as Africa50’s Acting Corporate Secretary and General Counsel.
Dr. Amadou, a highly regarded legal professional known for his strategic leadership and management abilities in multicultural settings, has a proven track record of providing legal advice, support, and services to the Bank in both public and private sector operations.
Since 1 July 2020, he has served as Acting General Counsel and Director of the Legal Services Department.
He has worked effectively to ensure proper due diligence of legal aspects for all non-sovereign operations of the Bank Group as Manager of the Private Sector Operations Division in the Legal Services Department, a position he has held since 2009.
Commenting on his appointment, Dr. Amadou said: “I am delighted to take on this crucial responsibility and would like to express my appreciation to President Adesina for the confidence bestowed upon me, through this appointment as General Counsel of the premier development finance institution in Africa. Having already served the institution in numerous capacities, I am fully cognizant of the challenges that come with this role and I will do my utmost to ensure that the Legal Services Department provides the entire institution with quality services that enable it to deliver on its development mandate.”
Dr. Amadou holds a Doctorate degree (PhD) in Business Law, University of Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand I (1993); a Master of Research (MRes-DEA) in Tax & Business, University of Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand I (1990); and a Certificate of Aptitude for the Legal Profession (CAPA).
The President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr Akinwumi A. Adesina said: “Dr Souley Amadou is a seasoned lawyer with great leadership qualities who will provide the institution with the requisite direction and guidance as General Counsel. Having practised and advised at the highest levels, Amadou is a well-respected international lawyer with a solid track record and is imbued with in-depth knowledge of the Bank’s operations, policies and procedures.”