African Development Bank (AfDB) has elected Sidi Ould Tah of Mauritania as its new president, succeeding Nigeria’s Akinwumi Adesina, whose 10-year tenure ends in 2025.
The election took place on Thursday during the AfDB’s annual meetings in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
A statement by the bank say Tah, who will assume office as the Bank’s 9th president on September 1, 2025, was elected by the board of governors, comprising finance ministers, economy ministers, and central bank governors from the Bank’s 81 regional and non-regional member countries.
“The board is the highest decision-making authority for the Bank Group. The results were announced by Niale Kaba, Minister of Planning and Development for Côte d’Ivoire, and Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Bank Group,” the statement reads.
His victory required securing at least 50.01% of both regional and non-regional votes.
With over 35 years of experience in African and international finance. Tah previously served as president of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa ( BADEA ) , where he led a significant transformation that quadrupled the bank’s balance sheet and secured it a AAA rating.
He is also a former minister of economic affairs and finance in Mauritania. His track record includes leading innovative financing efforts and crisis response strategies to support Africa’s development.
