Dr Ibrahim Mayaki has been awarded the prestigious Order of Isabella the Catholic with the rank of Knight Commander by His Majesty the King of Spain, Felipe VI, for his leadership distinguished career and contribution towards the empowerment of African Women through the NEPAD Spanish Fund. 

The NEPAD/Spanish Fund for African Women’s Empowerment is a partnership between the NEPAD Agency and the Spanish Government through the Spanish Agency for International Development and Cooperation (AECID). It has benefited from a 20 million Euro contribution from the Government of Spain. 77 projects have been supported since its inception in 2007 in 35 countries in Sub-Sahara Africa.

The Order was bestowed on Dr Mayaki at a reception in Pretoria last night at the official residence of the Spanish Ambassador to South Africa, Mr Juan Ignacio Sell Sanz.

Speaking at the occasion, Ambassador Juan Ignacio Sell Sanz said, “You have committed yourself and your carrier to make sure that you touch and transform women in Africa through the NEPAD Spanish Fund.  This honour is also betoweed upon you by every women who has been a beneficiary of the fund”.

Dr Mayaki welcomed the decoration with great humility, and thanked the Spanish Government for their continuous and resilient support towards the betterment of Africa. “Africa’s strength resides in its women, its future is linked to their destiny and it is no surprise that our Gender Unit in implementing the NSF for African Women’s Empowerement has done so well.  The programme, is a testimony of the values  and objectives I embrace for this continent. This decoration strengthens my hope for the future of Africa,“ he added.

The distinguished Order was created on 14 March 1815 by King Ferdinand VII of Spain in honor of Queen Isabella I of Castile with the intent of "rewarding the firm allegiance to Spain and the merits of Spanish citizens and foreigners in good standing with the Nation.