The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group has elected Sidi Ould Tah of Mauritania as its new president, marking the end of an era for outgoing President Akinwumi Adesina, who has led the institution since 2015.
Tah was elected on Thursday during the AfDB’s annual meetings held in **Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire**, according to an official statement from the bank. He will formally assume office as the AfDB’s 9th President on September 1, 2025.
His election was confirmed by the Board of Governors, the bank’s highest decision-making body comprising ministers of finance, economy, or central bank governors from the AfDB’s 81 regional and non-regional member countries.
Announcing the results, Nialé Kaba, Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Planning and Development and Chair of the Board of Governors, stated that the winning candidate must secure at least 50.01% of votes from both regional and non-regional member states.
Tah emerged victorious over four other candidates:
* Amadou Hott (Senegal)
* Samuel Maimbo (Zambia)
* Mahamat Abbas Tolli (Chad)
* Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala (South Africa)
The list of candidates was finalised by the election steering committee and officially announced on February 21, 2025, following a nomination process that closed on January 31.
A Seasoned Development Finance Leader
Sidi Ould Tah brings over 35 years of experience in African and global development finance. He is best known for his transformative leadership as president of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) from 2015 to 2025.
During his tenure at BADEA, Tah:
* Oversaw a fourfold expansion of the bank’s balance sheet
* Secured a AAA credit rating
* Elevated BADEA into the ranks of top-rated African-focused development banks
A former Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance in Mauritania, Tah has also held senior roles in multilateral institutions, where he led strategic initiatives in crisis response, financial reforms, and innovative resource mobilisation. One of his key achievements includes establishing **BADEA’s \$1 billion callable capital programme** for African multilateral development banks.
Adesina’s Legacy
Akinwumi Adesina, a respected Nigerian economist and former Minister of Agriculture, steps down after a decade of impactful leadership at the AfDB. Under his stewardship, the bank witnessed significant institutional reforms, capital expansion, and development initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure, agriculture, and energy access across Africa.
As the baton passes to Tah, expectations are high for continuity in innovation and growth within the AfDB, especially in the face of evolving development challenges across the continent.
