Former Mauritanian Minister for Economic Affairs and Finance, Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, has been elected as the ninth president of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB). The announcement was made following the vote held on Thursday, with Dr. Tah emerging victorious after securing strong support from both regional and non-regional member countries.
Dr. Tah, aged 60, previously served as President of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) for a decade, from 2015 until April 2025. His tenure at BADEA was marked by increased financing for African development projects and a focus on strengthening Arab-African cooperation.
To win the AfDB presidency, a candidate must secure at least 50.01% of the votes from both regional and non-regional shareholders. Dr. Tah surpassed this requirement by obtaining 76.18% of total votes and 72.37% of regional votes, making him the clear winner among the five candidates.
His closest rival, Samuel Maimbo from Zambia, garnered 20.26% of total votes and 22.71% of regional votes. Other contenders included Amadou Hott of Senegal, Mahamat Abbas Tolli of Chad, and Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala from South Africa. Hott, who previously served as Senegal’s Minister of Economy, Planning and Cooperation, received only 3.55% of total votes, while Tolli and Tshabalala finished with negligible support.
In the run-up to the elections, Dr. Tah outlined his key priorities, which include mobilising financial resources, reforming Africa’s financial architecture, investing in sustainable infrastructure, and unlocking the potential of the continent’s demographic dividend. He stressed the need for more integrated and innovative financial systems that can support inclusive growth across Africa.
“This marks the beginning of a challenging yet inspiring journey—together, we will drive Africa’s transformation with unity, ambition, and purpose,” Dr. Tah said after his victory was confirmed.
Dr. Tah previously served in Mauritania’s government as Minister for Economic Affairs and Development from 2008 to 2015, where he played a central role in implementing development policies and managing international financial partnerships.
His campaign received early backing from countries such as Mauritania, Mali, and Ghana, helping him build a strong regional base. His background in both public finance and regional development positioned him as a seasoned candidate capable of leading Africa’s premier multilateral financial institution.
Dr. Tah will officially assume office on 1 September 2025, for a five-year term. He takes over from current president Dr. Akinwumi Adesina of Nigeria, whose second and final term ends in August 2025. Dr. Adesina, who has served since 2015, will be remembered for significantly increasing AfDB’s capital base and promoting initiatives like the Desert to Power programme and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) financing support.
As AfDB’s next president, Dr. Tah is expected to lead the institution through a critical phase of Africa’s economic development. Key issues awaiting his leadership include debt sustainability, climate finance, regional integration, and private sector expansion. His experience at BADEA, a key Arab-funded development bank operating in Africa, is seen as a major asset as he works to deepen international partnerships and attract new capital into Africa’s development agenda.
The African Development Bank Group, headquartered in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, plays a central role in financing projects that promote economic and social progress across the continent. It has 81 member countries, including 54 regional and 27 non-regional shareholders such as the United States, Japan, and Germany.
Dr. Tah’s election has been welcomed by a cross-section of African policy experts and observers, who view his financial background and diplomatic experience as key to uniting member states around a shared development vision.
