Algiers, May 19, 2025 —
The President of the Republic of Algeria, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, received on Monday the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, along with his accompanying delegation, according to a statement from the Presidency of the Republic. The high-level meeting comes just days before the election of a new president of the AfDB, scheduled for May 29, 2025.
This year’s election holds particular significance as Dr. Adesina, a Nigerian national who has led the Bank since 2015, approaches the conclusion of his second and final term. Elected first on May 28, 2015, and re-elected on August 27, 2020, Adesina will officially conclude his tenure on August 31, 2025.
The leadership transition is set to take place during the AfDB’s 2025 Annual Meetings, which will be hosted by Côte d’Ivoire at the end of May. These Annual Meetings are the Bank’s most critical statutory gathering, drawing over 3,000 delegates annually. During the sessions, the Boards of Governors—representing the Bank’s 81 member countries—will review institutional performance, deliberate strategic direction, and adopt resolutions essential to Africa’s development agenda.
As preparations in Abidjan intensify, the AfDB’s Steering Committee of the Board of Governors on the Election of the President convened earlier this year, on February 11 and 12, to review and approve the slate of candidates eligible for election. The cleared candidates are:
- Mr. Amadou Hott (Senegal)
- Dr. Samuel Munzele Maimbo (Zambia)
- Mr. Sidi Ould Tah (Mauritania)
- Mr. Abbas Mahamat Tolli (Chad)
- Ms. Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala (South Africa)
For detailed profiles of candidates https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/official-list-candidates-election-next-president-african-development-bank-81173
The incoming President will assume one of the most influential leadership roles in Africa’s economic development framework. As defined by Article 37 of the Bank’s founding Agreement, the President acts as Chairperson of the Board of Directors, chief executive of staff, and legal representative of the institution. The President is elected by the Board of Governors for a five-year term, renewable once.
Founded in 1964 under the auspices of the Organization of African Unity—now the African Union—the African Development Bank Group operates as a multilateral financial institution dedicated to promoting economic development and social progress across the continent. Headquartered in Abidjan since 2014, the AfDB Group consists of three constituent entities: the African Development Bank, the African Development Fund, and the Nigeria Trust Fund.
The institution has grown to become a key player in Africa’s development financing architecture, with significant contributions from both African and non-African member countries. Leading shareholders include Nigeria (10.08%), the United States (7.58%), Japan (6.28%), South Africa (5.86%), and Algeria (5.76%).
As Africa faces a rapidly evolving development landscape shaped by climate change, technological disruption, and rising socio-economic aspirations, the upcoming AfDB presidential election is set to chart a new course for the Bank’s leadership and strategic vision in the coming decade.
