Rwandan economist Donald Kaberuka honoured as Gates Foundation’s 2025 Champion - Rwandan economist Donald Kaberuka speaks during a past event.

The former African Development Bank (AfDB) president was honoured for his dedication to driving sustainable financing, building resilient systems, and promoting better health for all.

“At our Goalkeepers 2025 event in New York, Dr Kaberuka was recognised as a Gates Foundation Champion for his unwavering commitment to these goals,” the foundation said in a statement recognising his work.

The Gates Foundation’s Champions are individuals recognised for advancing global health, development, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

They are celebrated as change-makers leading grassroots activism, innovative solutions, and advocacy on critical global health issues such as infectious diseases, child immunisation, and health system strengthening.

Dr Kaberuka acknowledged the recognition but cautioned that much remains to be done.

“My profound thanks to the Foundation for this recognition. I do so in the name of many who have been part of this collective endeavour,” he said. “The new complex global landscape demands even more effort to ensure sustainability and resilience in health.”

The former Rwandan finance minister chairs SouthBridge, a Pan-African financial advisory and investment firm, and is currently the African Union High Representative for the Peace Fund and Financing the Union.

He also chairs the Board of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and serves on the boards of the Rockefeller Foundation, Mo Ibrahim Foundation, and Centre for Global Development.

He served as AfDB’s seventh president from 2005 to 2015, expanding the Bank’s reach by promoting infrastructure development, private sector growth, and economic integration. During the 2008 financial crisis, the AfDB played a counter-cyclical role, helping African countries weather the downturn.

Dr Kaberuka co-chaired the LSE-Oxford Commission on State Fragility, Growth and Development between 2017 and 2018 and chaired the panel reviewing the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 2017.

Other 2025 Champions include Reem Al-Hashimy, who leads immunisation efforts in the UAE, and John Green, a US author and child health advocate.