Sidi Ould Tah of Mauritania has been elected as the ninth President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, succeeding Nigeria’s Dr. Akinwumi Adesina. The election took place during the Bank’s Annual Meetings held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, where he secured a decisive victory from the Board of Governors.
Tah won the contest with over 76% of the total shareholder votes and 72.37% of regional votes in the third round of balloting, securing a historic “double mandate” that underscores the strong backing he received from both African and non-African member countries.
This robust mandate reflects a clear desire among shareholders for a leader with a proven track record of institutional transformation and financial innovation, particularly in mobilizing capital.
He will officially assume office for a five-year term on September 1, 2025, following the conclusion of Dr. Adesina’s second successful tenure.
A Seasoned Leader for a Critical Juncture
Sidi Ould Tah brings over 35 years of extensive experience in African and international finance to his new role. Prior to this election, he served as the President of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) for a decade, from 2015 until April 2025.
During his leadership at BADEA, he spearheaded a comprehensive transformation that significantly boosted the institution’s balance sheet, quadrupling its assets and securing prestigious AA+/AAA credit ratings. This positioned BADEA among the top-rated development banks focused on Africa.
His career also includes serving as Mauritania’s Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance, as well as holding various senior roles in multilateral institutions, where he was instrumental in leading crisis response, financial reform, and innovative resource mobilization initiatives across Africa.
In his acceptance speech, Tah expressed his readiness to lead, stating, “Let’s go to work now, I’m ready!” He campaigned on a platform emphasizing the mobilization of large-scale capital, reform of Africa’s financial architecture, turning the continent’s demographic boom into economic strength, and industrialization through leveraging natural resources.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
Tah’s election comes at a crucial period for the African Development Bank and the continent. Africa continues to grapple with complex challenges such as climate shocks, economic disruption, high debt levels, limited fiscal space, and shifting geopolitical landscapes. The Bank is expected to play a pivotal role in accelerating the continent’s progress towards the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals.
His track record at BADEA, particularly in doubling assets and channeling capital, is seen as a decisive factor by shareholders who are looking for a leader who can effectively mobilize alternative funding sources, especially from emerging powers and Gulf nations, amidst potential cutbacks from traditional donors like the United States.
Outgoing President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina offered his congratulations to Tah, expressing confidence in his ability to lead the institution. The 2025 Annual Meetings, which concluded with Tah’s election, focused on the theme “Making Africa’s Capital Work Better for Africa’s Development,” a call for the continent to prioritize internal capital mobilization over external aid.
With his extensive experience, strategic vision, and commitment to inclusive and sustainable development, Sidi Ould Tah is well-positioned to steer the AfDB through its next chapter, tackling pressing challenges and seizing opportunities for Africa’s economic transformation.
