By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
POWER TRANSITIONED at the helm of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group with the election of Sidi Ould Tah as its ninth president, following a decisive vote by the institution’s Board of Governors during the Annual Meetings in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
The announcement marked a pivotal moment for the continent’s premier development finance institution as it prepares for a leadership shift on 1 September 2025.
Chosen by finance ministers and central bank governors representing the Bank’s 81 member countries, Tah secured the required majority from both regional and non-regional blocs, in line with the AfDB’s electoral charter.
The result was declared by Niale Kaba, Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Planning and Development, who chairs the Board of Governors.
The leadership change follows the end of the decade-long tenure of Nigeria’s Dr Akinwumi Adesina.
His successor, Tah, brings over 35 years of experience in African and international finance, most notably as head of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA).
During a transformative decade at BADEA, he quadrupled the bank’s balance sheet and elevated its credit rating to AAA.
His previous roles include Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance in Mauritania, and senior engagements with multilateral bodies in areas such as crisis financing and capital mobilisation.
Among his achievements was the creation of BADEA’s $1 billion callable capital programme to support African development banks.
Upon confirmation of his victory, Tah underscored the urgency of economic transformation. “Africa cannot afford to fall behind,” he stated.
“This institution must continue to be bold in mobilising the capital, partnerships and innovation needed to deliver on our collective goals.”
Contenders for the presidency included Amadou Hott (Senegal), Samuel Maimbo (Zambia), Mahamat Abbas Tolli (Chad), and Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala (South Africa).
The Bank’s Steering Committee had cleared all candidates by the 31 January deadline, and the list was made public on 21 February.
This year’s meetings, themed “Making Africa’s Capital Work Better for Africa’s Development,” took place amid growing demands on regional institutions to accelerate action on infrastructure, energy, climate, and economic resilience.
Tah’s leadership arrives at a critical juncture for the AfDB and its expanding mandate.
The Mauritanian becomes the first from his country to lead the Bank since its founding in 1964. He joins a roster of past presidents from across the continent: Mamoun Beheiry (Sudan), Abdelwahab Labidi (Tunisia), Kwame Donkor Fordwor (Ghana), Willa Mung’Omba (Zambia), Babacar N’diaye (Senegal), Omar Kabbaj (Morocco), Donald Kaberuka (Rwanda), and Akinwumi Adesina (Nigeria).
The AfDB Group consists of the African Development Bank, the African Development Fund, and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF), with 54 African and 27 non-African member states. Nigeria remains the Bank’s largest shareholder and reaffirmed its strategic commitment to its goals.
PBAT Congratulates Sidi, Mauritania
Following the election, President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria offered congratulations to Mauritania’s President Mohamed Ghazouani via telephone, welcoming Tah’s emergence and affirming his capacity to lead the institution effectively.
Tinubu praised the transparency of the process and assured Nigeria’s full support for Tah’s tenure.
The Nigerian government also announced the approval of a $500 million replenishment for the Nigeria Trust Fund earlier in May 2025, securing its operation for an additional 15 years.
Established in 1976 and fully financed by Nigeria, the NTF provides targeted support for development projects across the continent.
In his message, Tinubu pledged to collaborate with Tah to pursue shared priorities including infrastructure, agricultural development, energy access, climate resilience, and economic independence.
He also extended gratitude to Adesina for his contributions and wished him success in the next phase of his career.
