Your Excellencies, good afternoon. I would like to thank the Government of Ireland for inviting me to speak at this 7th Africa-Ireland Economic Forum.
I am really delighted to be with you here today for three reasons.
First, because Ireland is the newest shareholder of the African Development Bank, indeed its 81st shareholder member country. I wish to express my appreciation to Ireland for considering the African Development Bank a strategic partner in Africa.
Let me assure you: you have a good reason to be.