Mauritanian economist Dr. Sidi Ould Tah has been elected as the next President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), marking a significant leadership transition for the continent’s premier development finance institution. He will assume office on September 1, 2025, succeeding Nigeria’s Akinwumi Adesina after his two-term tenure.
A Decisive Victory
Dr. Tah secured the presidency after three rounds of voting during the AfDB’s annual meetings in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, garnering 76.18% of the vote. His closest competitors were Zambia’s Samuel Maimbo and Senegal’s Amadou Hott.
A Proven Track Record
With nearly four decades of experience in development finance, Dr. Tah brings a wealth of expertise to the AfDB. He has served as Mauritania’s Minister of Economic Affairs and Development and, since 2015, as President of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA). Under his leadership, BADEA underwent a significant transformation, including a 376% increase in authorized capital—from $4.2 billion to $20 billion—focusing on private sector development and support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Dr. Tah holds a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Nice-Sophia-Antipolis, France, and has completed executive programs at Harvard, the London Business School, and the Swiss Finance Institute. He is fluent in Arabic, French, and English, with working knowledge of Spanish and Portuguese.
Vision for the AfDB
Assuming leadership at a time of economic challenges, including funding cuts from key partners like the U.S., Dr. Tah aims to steer the AfDB towards innovative financial solutions. He plans to enhance collaboration with Gulf states to strengthen infrastructure development across the continent.
Dr. Tah emphasizes the importance of financial inclusion, particularly for SMEs, which employ over 80% of Africa’s workforce. He advocates for innovative financing models to empower entrepreneurs, especially women and youth.
Acknowledging Support
In his acceptance speech, Dr. Tah expressed gratitude to the African nations for their trust and support. He acknowledged the efforts of his home country, Mauritania, and its President, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, for backing his candidacy. He also thanked his campaign team and all those who supported his journey to the AfDB presidency.
As Dr. Tah prepares to lead the AfDB, his extensive experience and commitment to Africa’s development position him to navigate the institution through current challenges and towards a future of economic transformation and integration.
