Bank Group President and colleagues bid farewell to outgoing Vice President Pierre Guislain

AfDB NEWS & EVENT

03-Dec-2019

The African Development Bank, on Thursday, bid farewell to retiring Vice-President for the Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialization, Pierre Guislain.

Hosted by Bank President Akinwumi Adesina​, and attended by senior management and Board members, VP Guislain was honoured for his outstanding leadership, pragmatism and humility during his tenure at the Bank.

President Adesina gave a heartfelt speech that evoked the several years shared with “a forthright, thoughtful and collegial leader with a heart for people” and highlighted VP Guislain’s many contributions to “delivering results, believing in his staff and building strong partnerships – setting a gold standard for his team and the Bank at-large.”

Senior Vice President Charles Boamah expressed his appreciation for VP Guislain’s commitment to the Bank, lauding VP Guislain for his consummate professionalism, collegiality and for always “bringing his rich experience and wisdom to bear in changing and diverse contexts.”

In response, VP Guislain conveyed his appreciation to his Bank colleagues. Reminiscing on his start in late 2016, he stated: “I was lucky to work with highly competent and driven colleagues who were willing to join me on a journey to accelerate and deepen the Bank’s support to the private sector and infrastructure development on the Continent.”

Between laughter, the spirit of the event was warm and amiable. Dean of the Board, Bright E. Okogu, also shared words of appreciation. “To have run the PIVP Complex the way you did in such a short period of time is commendable,” he said. “You were always calm and professional, expanding operations and ensuring success.”

Vice President Guislain retired from the African Development Bank on 29 November. A trained economist and lawyer, he came to the Bank with more than 30 years of experience in private sector and infrastructure development from the World Bank and International Finance Corporation (IFC).

VP Guislain plans to spend his time here in Abidjan with his family, exploring and relaxing in the region before setting off in March 2020.