Sidi Ould Tah Elected African Development Bank President, Vows to Reinforce Africa’s Financial Future

iNewsAfrica | Abidjan Bureau | May 29, 2025

Mauritania’s Sidi Ould Tah has been elected as the ninth President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), succeeding Nigeria’s Akinwumi Adesina. His appointment comes at a critical time as the Bank faces funding challenges and seeks greater resilience for Africa’s poorest nations.

• Who: Sidi Ould Tah, Mauritanian economist

• What: Elected President of the African Development Bank (AfDB)

• Where: Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

• When: May 29, 2025

• Why it matters: Tah brings over three decades of experience and is expected to strengthen the Bank amid financial pressures and reform needs.

• Tenure Begins: September 1, 2025

ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire — Mauritania’s Sidi Ould Tah has been elected the new President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), becoming the institution’s ninth leader. His victory was confirmed during the Bank’s annual meetings held in Abidjan, securing 76.18% of the vote in a decisive third-round ballot.

Tah, a veteran economist and former Mauritanian finance minister, will assume office on September 1, taking over from Nigeria’s Akinwumi Adesina, who served two terms. He brings to the role a wealth of experience, having led the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) for the past decade. Under his leadership, BADEA’s balance sheet quadrupled and earned a coveted AAA credit rating.

In his acceptance speech, Tah promised bold reforms and innovative financing to advance Africa’s development goals. “Africa stands at a financial crossroads. We must scale up investments, build institutional resilience, and chart a path for inclusive growth,” he stated.

His presidency begins as the Bank contends with global funding headwinds, including a proposed $555 million U.S. funding cut to the African Development Fund — the concessional arm that supports over 30 of Africa’s lowest-income countries.

Tah outlined a robust agenda focused on:

• Mobilizing new sources of development finance, particularly from Gulf partners;

• Enhancing project implementation and impact across member states;

• Strengthening Africa’s climate resilience and sustainable infrastructure; and

• Driving digital and industrial transformation through public-private partnerships.

Leaders across the continent, including the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, congratulated Tah and expressed confidence in his ability to deliver on Agenda 2063 — the AU’s blueprint for inclusive growth and sustainable development.

Tah’s election has been widely seen as a mandate for reform and a fresh direction for the AfDB amid growing calls for stronger African financial independence and innovation.

“This is a pivotal moment not just for the Bank, but for the future of African economic leadership,” remarked Senegalese economist Amadou Hott, one of the former contenders.

As the AfDB moves into a new era, all eyes will be on Tah’s leadership to unify development efforts, bridge finance gaps, and re-energize African economies battered by debt, climate pressures, and global instability.