Sidi Ould Tah Elected 9th AfDB President as Akinwumi Adesina Concludes Transformative Decade

In a significant leadership transition, Mauritanian economist Dr. Sidi Ould Tah has been elected as the ninth President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), succeeding Nigeria's Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, whose transformative decade-long tenure concludes on August 31, 2025. 

The election, held during the AfDB's annual meetings in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, saw Dr. Tah secure a decisive 76.18% of the vote in the third round, outperforming competitors including Zambia’s Samuel Maimbo and Senegal’s Amadou Hott. Dr. Tah, aged 60, brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles as Mauritania's Finance Minister and Managing Director of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA).

Assuming office on September 1, 2025, Dr. Tah inherits an institution with a capital base expanded from 93 billion to318 billion under Dr. Adesina's leadership. The AfDB has been instrumental in addressing Africa's development challenges, including infrastructure deficits, climate change, and economic resilience.

Dr. Adesina's tenure is marked by the implementation of the "High 5s" agenda—Power Africa, Feed Africa, Industrialize Africa, Integrate Africa, and Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa—which has positively impacted over 515 million lives across the continent. Notable achievements include providing electricity access to 25 million people, improving healthcare for 127 million, and facilitating clean water access for 61 million individuals.

However, the AfDB faces significant challenges ahead. The U.S. government's proposed $555 million funding cut to the African Development Fund (ADF) threatens support for over 30 of the continent's poorest nations. Dr. Tah's immediate priorities will involve navigating these financial constraints, exploring alternative funding sources from nations like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and China, and enhancing collaboration with Gulf states to bolster infrastructure development.

Dr. Tah's leadership comes at a critical juncture, with Africa requiring over400 billion annually to meet its development needs. His experience and strategic vision will be pivotal in steering the AfDB through these challenges, ensuring the continuation of its mission to foster sustainable economic growth and development across the continent.

As Dr. Adesina prepares to hand over the reins, his legacy of transformative leadership and unwavering commitment to Africa's progress sets a high benchmark for his successor. The AfDB community and stakeholders across the continent will be watching closely as Dr. Tah embarks on this new chapter in the Bank's history.