The death toll from devastating floods in Côte d’Ivoire has risen sharply to 59, more than four times the figure announced earlier on Wednesday, as rescue teams continue searching for missing persons.

Government spokesperson Amadou Coulibaly announced the updated casualty figure after a cabinet meeting, describing this year’s flooding as “particularly high.”

He said search and rescue operations were ongoing, warning that the number of fatalities could increase as emergency responders reach more affected areas.

Coulibaly also urged residents to comply with government safety directives and evacuate communities identified as high-risk flood zones.

Earlier in the day, authorities had reported 12 deaths before the toll rose significantly following updated assessments.

Minister of Social Cohesion, Belmonde Dogo, said persistent rainfall that began on the night of June 27 triggered severe flooding and landslides across the commercial capital, Abidjan, and surrounding communities.

The floods caused extensive destruction, with roads submerged, vehicles swept away, and several neighbourhoods inundated, according to images and videos shared on social media.

The disaster comes as several West African countries, including Nigeria and Ghana, battle severe flooding caused by heavy seasonal rainfall.

According to the World Meteorological Organization, Africa remains one of the regions most vulnerable to extreme weather events despite contributing only a small share of global greenhouse gas emissions.

The post Death Toll in Côte d’Ivoire Floods Rises to 59 as Search Continues appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The announcement was made on Thursday, during the AfDB’s Annual Meetings held in Abidjan, where finance ministers, central bank governors, and economic leaders from the Bank’s 81 member countries convened to cast their votes. The AfDB’s Board of Governors its highest decision-making body oversaw the election process. Niale Kaba, Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Planning and Development and current Chair of the Board, officially announced the results.

To secure the presidency, candidates must obtain a majority of regional and non-regional member votes crossing the 50.01% threshold in both categories. Tah’s victory underscores broad consensus across Africa and its global partners on his vision for the Bank’s future.

With a distinguished career spanning more than 35 years in development finance, Tah brings deep expertise and proven leadership to the AfDB. Most recently, he served as President of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), where he oversaw a strategic overhaul that quadrupled the institution’s balance sheet and earned it a AAA credit rating a rare feat among development banks.

Tah has also held key government roles, including Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance in Mauritania, where he championed innovative funding models and crisis-response frameworks to advance economic resilience and inclusive growth.

As he prepares to take the helm, stakeholders across the continent and beyond are watching closely, anticipating how Tah will shape the Bank’s next chapter amid evolving global challenges and Africa’s pursuit of sustainable development.

The post Sidi Ould Tah Elected President of African Development Bank, Succeeding Adesina appeared first on Housing TV Africa.