Faith Nyasuguta
Mauritanian economist Sidi Ould Tah has been elected the next president of the African Development Bank (AfDB), beating four contenders to secure the top role at the institution’s annual meeting held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. He is set to officially take over on September 1, 2025, succeeding Nigeria’s Akinwumi Adesina, who has completed the maximum two five-year terms.
Tah’s victory comes at a crucial time for Africa. The continent is grappling with funding cuts from traditional partners like the U.S., a decline in infrastructure financing from China, and the ripple effects of global trade policy shifts. Amid high interest rates and rising debt burdens, his leadership at the AfDB will be closely watched.
To win, candidates needed to secure at least 50.01% of the vote. Tah emerged victorious over a strong field, which included Amadou Hott of Senegal, Samuel Maimbo from Zambia, Chad’s Mahamat Abbas Tolli, and South Africa’s Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala.
With more than 35 years of experience in African and global finance, Tah brings seasoned leadership. From 2015 to 2024, he served as president of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), where he spearheaded a major institutional transformation. Under his leadership, BADEA’s balance sheet quadrupled, the bank earned a AAA rating, and it rose to be one of the continent’s top-rated development institutions.
The AfDB, owned by 54 African nations and several non-African countries including the United States, Japan, and Saudi Arabia, plays a key role in shaping the continent’s economic future. Its largest shareholder remains Nigeria.
In a statement following his election, the AfDB highlighted Tah’s role in setting up BADEA’s $1 billion callable capital program for African Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs). During his campaign, Tah pledged to focus on four key areas: reforming Africa’s financial architecture, mobilizing more resources for development, tapping into the continent’s demographic strength, and boosting investment in climate-resilient infrastructure.
As Africa continues to weather climate shocks, disrupted trade flows, and geopolitical uncertainty, Tah’s experience and leadership will be vital. The AfDB recently downgraded its growth forecast for the continent, citing mounting economic pressures. Yet it remains optimistic that African economies can remain resilient with the right leadership and strategic investments – something Tah is expected to deliver.
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