Mauritanian economist and development finance expert, Sidi Ould Tah, has officially assumed office as the 9th president of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, succeeding Akinwumi Adesina after a decade of leadership. His election, held during the AfDB’s annual meetings in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, saw him secure a decisive 76.18 percent of the votes, reflecting strong continental support.

In his inaugural speech, Tah pledged to steer the bank with a renewed focus on collaboration, reforms, and accelerated development, stressing that his administration will prioritise economic transformation, job creation, and social progress.

He expressed gratitude to President Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire for hosting the historic swearing-in, as well as to President Mohamed Ghezouani of Mauritania for mobilising national support throughout his candidacy. Tah also acknowledged the contributions of AfDB governors, African leaders, civil society, and development partners who rallied behind his vision.

Promising to build on the foundation laid by his predecessors, he vowed to work “in a spirit of consultation and collegiality” to strengthen the AfDB’s role as Africa’s premier financial institution.

Tah highlighted debt management, climate resilience, peace-building, and sustainable development as urgent priorities, while pledging to bridge divides between vision and execution, public and private sectors, and urgency and bureaucracy.

Expanding AfDB’s Reach

Looking ahead, Tah announced plans to broaden the AfDB’s partnerships by engaging sovereign funds, pension funds, and private investors to scale up financing for Africa’s development agenda.

He outlined a 100-day action plan anchored on four priorities:

1. Listening to stakeholders, partners, and AfDB staff to align with real-world needs.

2. Fast-tracking reforms to improve efficiency and cut red tape.

3. Deepening partnerships with African and global institutions to mobilise capital.

4. Delivering solutions that expand access to finance, create jobs, and empower women and youth.

With these commitments, Tah positions the AfDB as a catalyst for inclusive growth and long-term prosperity across the continent.

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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.

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