Prof. Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka
Senior Special Adviser on Industrialisation, African Development Bank
Professor Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka is an internationally respected development economist, industrialisation strategist and scholar whose work has focused on one of Africa’s central development challenges: moving from primary production and commodity dependence toward productive, industrial economies.
As Senior Special Adviser on Industrialisation to the President of the African Development Bank, he has played a major role in shaping the Bank’s industrialisation agenda and coordinating the development of Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones across African countries.
His work has consistently emphasised the importance of linking agriculture with processing, infrastructure, skills, finance and markets so that African economies can capture more value from their own resources and create jobs closer to where production occurs.
His career at the United Nations and in academia has also contributed to global thinking on urbanisation, innovation, technology and industrial development. Through policy work, research and international development programmes, he has helped translate economic theory into practical strategies for inclusive growth.
The Daily Times of Nigeria honours Professor Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka with the Social Impact Award for advancing industrialisation policy, agro-industrial development and inclusive economic transformation across Africa.