Hello, I'm Autry Brown, and this is the interview from the World Service,

the best conversations coming out of the BBC.

People shaping our world from all over the world.

I will come back to Russia.

I will participate in the elections.

There's an increase in violence, according to the coca crop.

There is no place in the world where women are equal.

I will give away the vast majority of my money and it's my full-time focus for the rest of my life.

For this interview, I speak to Akin Wumi Adesina, president of the African Development Bank.

We recorded our conversation when he was here in London on a recent

visit. He's been reflecting on the achievements and challenges of the past 10 years in office before he

steps down in September. In his two terms, Mr. Adesina focused much of his time on advocacy,

strategic positioning and amplifying the continent's voice on the global stage.

We're going to hear about his high fives, a framework which includes getting power to those without

electricity and improving the quality of life for African people. He tells me about his vision

for the continent's development and how his faith and personal experiences shape his approach to the job.

I have to make sure that everything that I do, that the voices of the poor are heard and that I accelerate every actions to do that.

Part of it is also my growing up days. I grew out of poverty. And so, you know, as an economist, for me,

inequality is not something that is a theoretical concept. It's a reality that I lived as a kid.

Since taking office as president, Akim Wumi Adeshina has tackled challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic

and the brain drain as young people leave Africa to improve their lives abroad.

He has launched initiatives like the Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank,

...