Abidjan, May 29, 2025 — The African Development Bank (AfDB) has elected Sidi Ould Tah of Mauritania as its new president, following a highly competitive selection process that concluded during the Bank’s Annual Meetings in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
Ould Tah, who will officially assume office on September 1, 2025, becomes the ninth president of the AfDB, succeeding Nigeria’s Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, whose two-term tenure ends this year.
A seasoned economist and development banker, Sidi Ould Tah brings more than 35 years of experience in finance, development, and policymaking. He most recently served as President of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), where he led a major institutional transformation that quadrupled the bank’s assets and earned it a prestigious AAA credit rating.
Before his leadership at BADEA, Ould Tah served as Mauritania’s Minister of Economic Affairs and Development and has held senior positions in regional development organizations.
His election was decided by the AfDB’s Board of Governors, composed of finance ministers, economy ministers, and central bank governors from the Bank’s 81 member countries. He secured 76.2% of the vote in the final round of balloting.
Ould Tah’s appointment comes at a critical time as the African continent grapples with economic recovery, climate change, and the need for large-scale infrastructure investments. He is expected to steer the institution toward deepening regional integration, accelerating sustainable development, and supporting the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
The African Development Bank, headquartered in Abidjan, plays a vital role in mobilizing resources for the continent’s development and promoting inclusive economic growth.
