Sidi Ould Tah elected AfDB President
Omeiza Bilal
Sidi Ould Tah has been elected as the ninth President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), following a decisive victory during the Bank’s Annual Meetings in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
Representing Mauritania, Tah secured 76.18 per cent of the vote in the third round, surpassing candidates from Zambia, Senegal, Chad, and South Africa.
With over 35 years of experience in African and international finance, Tah previously served as Mauritania’s Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance.
He also led the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) for a decade, during which he quadrupled the bank’s balance sheet and achieved a AAA credit rating.
Tah is set to officially assume office on September 1, 2025, succeeding Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, who has completed his second term.
The AfDB, comprising 81 member countries, plays a pivotal role in Africa’s development, focusing on infrastructure, economic growth, and poverty reduction.
