Sidi Ould Tah from Mauritania has been elected as the new President of the African Development Bank Group. This decision came during the Bank’s Annual Meetings held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The Bank’s Board of Governors, which includes finance ministers and central bank governors from 81 member countries, confirmed Tah’s election.
Tah won the presidency with just over 50% of the votes. He competed against four other candidates: Amadou Hott of Senegal, Samuel Maimbo from Zambia, Mahamat Abbas Tolli of Chad, and Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala from South Africa.
His term will officially begin on September 1, 2025, after the current president, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, completes his second term.
Tah brings over 35 years of experience in African and international finance. Since 2015, he has been the president of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA). Under his leadership, BADEA’s balance sheet grew fourfold, and the bank achieved a AAA credit rating—one of Africa’s highest ratings for development banks.
Before leading BADEA, Tah served as Mauritania’s Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance. He has also held key roles in international organizations focused on financial reform, crisis management, and resource mobilization to support Africa’s development. One of his important accomplishments includes creating a $1 billion callable capital program to strengthen African development banks.
Tah’s election comes at a critical time as the African Development Bank Group celebrates its 60th anniversary. Africa faces many challenges such as climate change, economic uncertainty, and geopolitical changes. The continent must accelerate progress to meet the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
The Bank’s priorities are outlined in its “High 5s” agenda, which includes:
Lighting up Africa with reliable energy
Feeding Africa through agricultural development
Industrializing Africa for economic growth
Integrating Africa by improving regional cooperation
Improving the quality of life for African people through better health and education
The African Development Bank Group consists of three entities: the African Development Bank, the African Development Fund, and the Nigeria Trust Fund. It has 54 African and 27 non-African member countries and remains a vital partner in Africa’s development journey.
With Sidi Ould Tah as President, the Bank aims to continue driving sustainable growth and development across Africa, helping the continent meet its goals for a better future
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