African Development Bank Group marks progress on gender equality with EDGE certification | African Development Bank

One year after launching the EDGE certification process, the African Development Bank has achieved Level 1 Assess, in recognition of its commitment to monitoring, benchmarking and achieving gender equality in its workforce.

The Bank started the EDGE certification process in 2022. EDGE is the world’s leading certification that measures gender equality in the workplace.

The bank is now EDGE Level 1 certified (EDGE Assess), which recognizes the organization’s commitment to an impactful action plan to accelerate its progress on the 4 pillars of the EDGE Global Standards: Representation, Equal Pay, Policies and Practices, and inclusiveness of culture.

“This is another milestone in the Bank’s journey, led by our President Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, to join a global community of organizations committed to bringing equal opportunity to men and women in the workplace,” said African Development Bank Acting Vice President Jacques Edjangue.

“Significant progress has been made in learning and development to empower our women in the workplace,” the acting vice president added.

EDGE noted in a statement on its website that, “by working to close gaps identified during the review, the Bank will continue to expand its efforts to create a more gender-equal workplace.”

The African Development Bank remains committed to pursuing initiatives and procedures that promote gender equality within its institutions. In 2019, 83% of executives at the African Development Bank were male. But within three years, the share of women in senior management had changed from 17% to 32%. The Bank has set itself the goal of achieving 50/50 gender equality for its workforce in the near future.

Aniela Unguresan, founder of the EDGE Certified Foundation said: “It is with great pride that we announce the certification of the African Development Bank Group at the first EDGE certification level, EDGE Assess. We look forward to the continued progress of the African Development Bank Group on gender equality in the workplace as the organization works towards the next level of EDGE certification.”