Maximilian Bankole Jarrett

Biography

Max Bankole Jarrett is passionate about digital education and the promotion of an acceleration in Africa's human capital enhancement and transformation. He has over 35 years of professional experience in the fields of broadcast media and communication, and international policy affairs. In 2017 he served as the final Director-in-charge of the Geneva-based Africa Progress Panel, chaired by the Nobel Laureate and former UN Secretary - General, Kofi Annan. Max began his career as a current affairs broadcaster with the BBC World Service in London in 1990 working on the BBC's flagship programmes for its African audience: Focus on Africa and Network Africa. In 2001 he began work as a speechwriter, communication team leader and senior programme management officer in the United Nations system (for 17 years).

After serving as Director of Strategy and Delivery in the Office of the President of the African Development Bank from July 2023 to July 2025, he was appointed Divisional Manager, Editorial, Media Relations and Social Media of the African Development Bank Group effective 1 August 2025. A direct descendant of two of the 50 families of Barbadian emigrants to the Republic of Liberia in April 1865, he currently also serves as the Vice Chairperson of the newly incorporated Africa-Barbados Heritage Initiative foundation, which aims to advance knowledge of this unique repatriation history and engagement between all who are interested in this connection between the Caribbean and Africa. Max received his BSc. (Hons) in Economics in 1990 from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and his M.A in African Studies (Specialism: The Political Economy of Africa) in 1996, from London University’s School of Oriental and African Studies.