Adesina Gender Advocacy Video Earns AfDB Two International Prizes
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has scooped two major international honours for a short video highlighting President Akinwumi A. Adesina’s commitment to gender equality across Africa.
The 75-second video, produced by the Bank’s Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA), was named a “Bronze Winner” at the 46th Annual Telly Awards and a “Gold Winner” at the 2025 AVA Digital Awards. Both competitions recognise global excellence in digital communications and media.
The award-winning piece, first screened at the 2024 United Nations General Assembly, pays tribute to Dr. Adesina’s role as a UN Women #HeForShe Champion and features testimonies from women entrepreneurs benefitting from AfDB-backed initiatives.
AFAWA, one of Dr. Adesina’s flagship programmes, has disbursed over $1.33 billion in financing through 185 financial institution partners, supporting women-led businesses in 45 African countries.
Dr. Beth Dunford, AfDB Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development, said the recognition affirms the Bank’s commitment to showcasing gender equality as a cornerstone of development.
“We aimed to succinctly visualise how President Adesina made mainstreaming gender central to his presidency. We are thrilled to be recognised by the Telly Awards and AVA Digital Awards,” she said.
Dr. Jemimah Njuki, AfDB Director for Gender, Women and Civil Society, added: “Africa’s women entrepreneurs are the engines of African economies. Our digital communications demonstrate how AFAWA is scaling up access to finance for women-led businesses, transforming demographics into dividends.”
The Telly Awards received over 12,000 submissions worldwide this year, with winners including Pixar, ESPN, LinkedIn and NATO. The AVA Digital Awards, organised by the U.S.-based Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals, honour creativity in advancing digital communications.
These latest recognitions bring to 11 the number of international honours the Bank has won in the past decade for its communications work on agriculture, human, and social development.
Watch the award-winning video tribute here: https://apo-opa.co/4m2pH04
Learn more about AFAWA: www.AFAWA.AfDB.org
