Sidi Ould Tah Elected 10th President of African Development Bank
TLDR
- Sidi Ould Tah of Mauritania has been elected as the 10th President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group
- Tah secured 76.18% of the total vote and 72.37% of regional votes in the third round of voting – a historic majority
- He served as president of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) for the past ten years
Sidi Ould Tah of Mauritania has been elected as the 10th President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group. The vote took place during the Bank’s Annual Meetings held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, currently underway from May 26 to 30.
Tah will begin his five-year term on September 1, 2025, succeeding Dr. Akinwumi Adesina of Nigeria. His election was determined by the AfDB Board of Governors, which includes representatives from the Bank’s 81 member countries.
The winning candidate is required to obtain at least 50.01% of both the regional and non-regional votes. Tah secured 76.18% of the total vote and 72.37% of regional votes in the third round of voting – a historic majority.
Tah brings over three decades of experience in finance and development. He served as president of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) for the past ten years, overseeing major institutional reforms and balance sheet growth. He is also a former Mauritanian Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance.
The election featured five candidates, with Tah emerging as the first Mauritanian to lead the Bank since its founding in 1964. His appointment comes amid rising expectations for African institutions to accelerate responses to economic and development challenges.
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Key Takeaways
Sidi Ould Tah’s election to lead the African Development Bank signals an emphasis on capital mobilization and structural transformation at a time when African economies are navigating debt pressures, climate change, and infrastructure gaps. His track record at BADEA—where he launched a $1 billion callable capital program and guided the institution to a AAA credit rating—suggests continuity in pushing for stronger financial tools and partnerships. The choice also reflects a broader geographic inclusivity within the Bank, bringing Mauritania into AfDB leadership for the first time. With development finance needs growing amid slow global capital flows, Tah is expected to focus on scaling the Bank’s ability to de-risk private sector investment and support regional integration. His leadership will be closely watched as African economies seek innovative financing approaches and deeper multilateral cooperation to meet development goals.
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