The African Development Bank (AfDB) has elected Sidi Ould Tah as its ninth president. Tah, a seasoned Mauritanian economist and development finance expert, will officially assume office on September 1, 2025, for a renewable five-year term. He will succeed the outgoing president, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, who is retiring after completing two successful terms at the helm of the continental bank.
Tah’s election was confirmed by the AfDB’s Board of Governors, a decision-making body comprising Ministers of Finance and Economy or Central Bank Governors representing the Bank Group’s 81 member countries both regional and non-regional. His candidacy emerged victorious among five contenders following a competitive selection process held during the Bank’s 2025 Annual Meetings in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
With over 35 years of experience in African and international finance, Tah brings a wealth of expertise to the institution. Since 2015, he has served as the president of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), where he oversaw a decade-long transformation. Under his leadership, BADEA’s balance sheet quadrupled, the bank attained a prestigious AAA credit rating, and it rose to become one of the highest-rated development banks with a strong African focus.
Tah’s appointment signals a continuation of AfDB’s strategic commitment to Africa’s economic development through enhanced investment in infrastructure, climate resilience, private sector growth, and inclusive financial systems. His track record at BADEA has raised expectations that he will reinforce AfDB’s operational efficiency and deepen its partnerships across the continent and globally.
Speaking shortly after his election, Tah expressed his gratitude and emphasized the importance of strengthening regional integration, addressing youth unemployment, and accelerating progress toward Africa’s Agenda 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
As the AfDB moves into a new leadership chapter, stakeholders across Africa and beyond will be watching closely to see how Tah steers the bank through the continent’s evolving development landscape and builds on the legacy left by Dr. Adesina.
