Photo source: https://x.com/sidiouldtah
Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire , 30 May 2025 —
In a historic election during the African Development Bank Group’s (AfDB) Annual Meetings in Abidjan, Mauritanian economist and development finance expert Sidi Ould Tah was elected President of the Bank Group. Tah, who will officially assume office on 1 September 2025, becomes the ninth head of the AfDB, succeeding Dr. Akinwumi Adesina of Nigeria, who served two five-year terms.
The announcement was made by Nialé Kaba, Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Planning and Development and Chairperson of the Bank’s Board of Governors, following a competitive election process that drew five distinguished candidates. Tah secured 76.18% of total votes and 72.37% of regional votes in the third round of balloting, surpassing the required majority threshold of 50.01% in both regional and non-regional categories.
The Board of Governors, comprising finance ministers, economy ministers, and central bank governors of the Bank’s 81 member states, holds the highest decision-making authority within the institution.
A Proven Leader in African Finance
Sidi Ould Tah brings more than 35 years of experience in African and international finance. Most recently, he served as President of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), where he led a comprehensive institutional transformation. Under his leadership, BADEA’s balance sheet quadrupled, the institution earned a prestigious AAA credit rating, and it rose to become one of the continent’s top-rated development banks.
Previously, Tah held several high-level roles, including Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance of Mauritania, technical advisor to the Prime Minister and President of Mauritania, and senior positions within the Islamic Development Bank and the Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development. He began his professional journey in 1984 at the Mauritanian Bank for Development and Commerce.
A multilingual economist, Tah holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Nice-Sophia-Antipolis in France, in addition to degrees from the University of Paris VII and the University of Nouakchott.
In his first address as President-elect, Tah struck an energetic tone: “Let’s go to work now. I’m ready!”
A Strategic Transition in African Development
Tah’s election comes at a transformative time for the African Development Bank Group, as the continent continues to face complex challenges, including climate shocks, economic disruptions, and the urgency to meet Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Bank’s flagship priorities—known as the High 5s—remain at the heart of its strategy: Light up and Power Africa, Feed Africa, Industrialize Africa, Integrate Africa, and Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa.
Outgoing President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, in an emotional farewell, expressed his full support for Tah, stating, “I am delighted for my brother and friend. Hearty congratulations! I wish you great success in the years ahead.” Adesina’s decade-long tenure is credited with historic capital increases, innovative development financing, and a renewed focus on food security, renewable energy, and youth employment.
Photo source: https://www.afdb.org/en (Outgoing President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina)
As part of the closing ceremony of the 2025 Annual Meetings, Kaba passed the AfDB flag to Ludovic Ngatse, Congo Brazzaville’s Minister of Economy, symbolizing the baton being handed to the next host of the 2026 Annual Meetings, scheduled for May 25–29 in Brazzaville.
A Renewed Commitment to Africa’s Development
The 2025 Annual Meetings, held from May 26–30, were themed “Making Africa’s Capital Work Better for Africa’s Development”. Delegates and stakeholders discussed ways to enhance the mobilization of domestic and regional capital for sustainable development. The sessions also emphasized reducing reliance on external aid by tapping into Africa’s vast wealth—its people, natural resources, and innovation.
During the meetings, the Bank signed a landmark agreement with Nigeria to extend the Nigeria Trust Fund for another 15 years, supported by a $500 million contribution. This extension reinforces the Fund’s role in providing concessional financing for low-income African countries.
The meetings also saw the signing of a Partnership Framework Agreement for the Africa Investment Forum (AIF) by founding institutions including the African Development Bank Group, Africa50, the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), and others. The Forum, launched in 2018, has attracted nearly $225 billion in investment interest to date and continues to grow as Africa’s leading investment marketplace.
Challenges Ahead: From Financing Gaps to Climate Resilience
As the continent’s development engine, the AfDB faces the dual challenge of meeting Africa’s growing development needs while navigating rising climate risks and economic shocks. According to the Bank’s 2022 Annual Report, Africa’s GDP growth fell to 3.8%, down from 4.8% the year prior. However, investments in key sectors remain robust: UA 1.34 billion was allocated to food security, UA 1.59 billion to industrialization, and UA 1.13 billion to infrastructure.
The Bank continues to maintain its AAA credit rating, with a growing active portfolio valued at UA 44.33 billion and a renewed focus on climate financing through the ADF-16 replenishment, which secured US$8.9 billion, including US$429 million dedicated to climate-related initiatives.
A Legacy of Leadership
Sidi Ould Tah joins an elite group of past presidents who have steered the Bank since its inception in 1964, including Mamoun Beheiry (Sudan), Babacar N’diaye (Senegal), Omar Kabbaj (Morocco), Donald Kaberuka (Rwanda), and Akinwumi Adesina (Nigeria). As he steps into his new role, expectations are high for Tah to build on this legacy and position the AfDB to meet the evolving needs of a continent with growing ambitions.
With a rallying call to “get to work,” Tah’s election marks not just a transition in leadership, but a renewed promise to accelerate Africa’s development through homegrown solutions, stronger institutions, and inclusive economic growth.
