Zimbabweans continue to scale to greater heights in their careers outside the country.
Many Zimbabweans are holding top positions in very influential organizations such as the United Nations, the African Union and others, including private companies worldwide.
In the latest of such top appointments, the African Development Bank has appointed Zimbabwean woman Dr. Sipho Moyo as its Director of the Cabinet and Chief of Staff in the Office of the President.
Moyo’s appointment was announced this week.
“It’s such a great honour, it feels amazing. It’s also a homecoming for me because I used to be with the bank several years ago before I went to join civil society,” Moyo told VOA.
“I’m extremely excited about the work the new president of the bank is envisioning for the bank and the continent and for the bank and it’s such a great honor that he should ask me to come and work with him and really help to help implement this vision for Africa.”
She adds she’s also excited because “I always feel that my calling is to my continent so in everything I have done, my focus has always been on moving Africa forward”.
Moyo says she firmly believes that the only way women can make a difference in the world is by supporting each other.
“I have been appointed to this position, obviously by a gentleman who understands the importance of equal opportunities for women… having been picked for this position I in turn have a responsibility to open doors and opportunities and mentor those who come behind us and as it is I personally stand on the shoulders of giant African women who went before me and created opportunities and opened doors for me.”
She said one of the women whose shoulders she stood on at the beginning of my career in development is Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s former finance minister.
“She gave me my first big break without which I would not be here today,” said Moyo.
Dr Moyo is currently the Executive Director of the ONE Campaign an international civil society organisation and heads the Africa office. She takes up her new appointment on November 1.
Dr Moyo holds a Masters in Development Economics and a PhD in Financial Economics both from Howard University, Washington DC,USA. Dr Moyo is not a stranger at the African Development Bank having worked there for twelve years from 1998-2010 prior to her current post at ONE Campaign.
Akinwumi Adesina, Nigeria's former Agriculture Minister took over recently as President of the African Development Bank and Dr Moyo says working with him to advance Africa's cause is a great honor.
In a statement released by the Africa Development Bank following Dr Moyo's appointment President Akinwumi Adesina said;-" I am delighted that Dr Moyo will be joining us. She brings extensive experience in development and solid understanding of multilateral financial institutions. Her extensive managerial experience, deep understanding of critical development issues in Africa, passion for people-oriented development, advocacy and ability to achieve results, will add great value to the African Development Bank and its community."
In her response Dr Moyo said her passion has always been to advance developmental programmes in Africa and she hopes to leverage the relationship she has acquired while at One Campaign when she relinquishes her post and joins the Africa Development Bank.
