BREAKING: Dr. Sidi Ould Tah Elected as New AfDB President, Succeeding Adesina
Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, former Minister of Economy and Finance in Mauritania, has been elected as the 9th President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, taking over from Dr. Akinwumi Adesina who served two five-year terms since 2015. The election was held at the AfDB headquarters in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, where Tah emerged as the winner among five candidates. His selection was confirmed by the AfDB Board of Governors, comprising top financial decision-makers from 81 member countries.
The election process required the winning candidate to secure over 50.01% of both regional and non-regional member votes, highlighting the broad consensus behind Tah’s leadership. The results were announced by Niale Kaba, Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Planning and Development, who also chairs the Bank’s Board of Governors. Tah’s appointment comes at a critical moment for the Bank as it continues to expand its influence and investments across the continent.
Dr. Tah brings a wealth of experience in economic development and financial management. He most recently served as Director General of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), where he spearheaded African-Arab cooperation and financial inclusion. His career includes advisory roles in international finance, a ministerial position in Mauritania, and earlier involvement with the Islamic Development Bank. His leadership is expected to be rooted in technical expertise and cross-regional collaboration.
As Tah prepares to leave BADEA on July 1, 2025—succeeded by Abdullah AlMusaibeeh—he is set to begin his term at AfDB on September 1, 2025. His administration is expected to build upon the foundation laid by Dr. Adesina, focusing on infrastructure, economic resilience, and sustainable growth across Africa. Stakeholders anticipate a seamless transition and a new era of strategic development leadership under Tah’s guidance.
The AfDB has experienced remarkable financial growth in the past decade, expanding its capital base by over 241%, from $93 billion in 2015 to $318 billion in 2025. Dr. Adesina, speaking at a press briefing, reflected on these achievements and expressed confidence in Tah’s capability to lead the Bank into its next chapter. Tah’s leadership marks a significant moment for the institution as it continues to champion development initiatives across the continent.
Source: Nairametric