Former Mauritania’s Minister of Economy and Finance, Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, has been elected as the 9th President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, succeeding Akinwumi Adesina, who has led the institution for two terms since 2015.
The election took place on Thursday at the bank’s headquarters in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, where Tah emerged victorious against four other contenders.
Tah was elected by the Bank’s Board of Governors, comprising Finance and Economy Ministers or Central Bank Governors of the Bank Group’s 81 regional and non-regional member countries.
The board is the highest decision-making authority for the Bank Group.
The winning candidate is required to obtain at least 50.01% of both the regional and non-regional votes.
The results were announced by Niale Kaba, Minister of Planning and Development for Côte d’Ivoire, and Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Bank Group.
With a career in economic development and financial management, Tah brings a wealth of experience to his new role.
Since July 2015, Tah has been at the helm of BADEA, championing developmental financing across Africa.
As he prepares to take on his new leadership role at AfDB, he will leave BADEA on July 1, 2025, paving the way for Abdullah AlMusaibeeh, who will assume the position.
His election comes at a time when the African Development Bank continues to play a pivotal role in advancing infrastructure, financial inclusion, and economic resilience across Africa.
With his background in international development banking, Tah is expected to bring strategic insights and innovative approaches to further drive economic growth, sustainability, and collaboration among African nations.
Tah will assume office on 1 September 2025, for a five-year term.