Sidi Ould Tah was elected as the African Development Bank Group’s next president

Sidi Ould Tah of Mauritania was chosen President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), bringing with him more than 35 years of experience in African banking.

In a resounding vote by the Bank’s Board of Governors during the organization’s Annual Meetings in Abidjan, Sidi Ould Tah of Mauritania was chosen as the African Development Bank Group’s (AfDB) president.

The ninth president of the Bank Group, Tah will take over from Dr. Akinwumi Adesina of Nigeria, whose second five-year term expires in August 2025. Tah’s five-year term is renewable, and he is anticipated to officially take office on September 1, 2025.

Following a thorough voting procedure that involved finance and economics ministers or central bank governors from the Bank’s 81 regional and non-regional member countries, Niale Kaba, the Minister of Planning and Development of Côte d’Ivoire and Chair of the AfDB Board of Governors, declared his election. In order to be elected, a candidate must receive at least 50.01% of the votes from both categories.

Tah contributes more than thirty years of vast knowledge in both international and African finance to the position. Until April 2025, he presided over the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) as its president. When he was in charge, BADEA completely changed, quadrupling its balance sheet, earning the coveted AAA rating, and becoming one of the best development banks in Africa.

In addition, he was Mauritania’s previous Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs and has held important positions in a number of multilateral organizations. Tah has spearheaded projects centered on financial reforms, resource mobilization, and crisis response around the continent during his career. To increase regional financial capability, he was a key figure in the establishment of BADEA’s $1 billion callable capital program for African Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs).

The Board of Governors Steering Committee approved five candidates as of January 31, 2025, after a contested election process. The final list, which was made public on February 21, featured Sidi Ould Tah (Mauritania), Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala (South Africa), Mahamat Abbas Tolli (Chad), Samuel Maimbo (Zambia), and Amadou Hott (Senegal).

As the African Development Bank continues to promote infrastructure funding, climate resilience, sustainable development, and economic integration throughout Africa, Tah’s election comes at a pivotal moment.

The Bank’s objective to eliminate poverty and foster equitable growth on the continent is anticipated to be shaped by his leadership and track record in the future.