Sidi Ould Tah the president elect of the African Development Bank (AfDB) on September 1, 2025.
Sidi Ould Tah is set to assume the presidency of the African Development Bank (AfDB) on September 1, 2025, becoming the first Mauritanian to hold the position.
Elected on May 29, 2025, with 76.18% of the vote, Tah takes over at a pivotal moment for Africa’s economic development, stepping into the role after a decade of significant reforms and growth under his predecessor, Akinwumi Adesina.
The AfDB, headquartered in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, is Africa’s regional multilateral development bank.
Established in 1964, it finances projects and programs across sectors, including infrastructure, energy, agriculture, health, and financial inclusion.
By working with governments, private sector partners, and regional organizations, the AfDB plays a central role in promoting sustainable economic growth and social development in Africa.
Support from African States and International Partners
Tah’s presidency comes at a time when the institution is expected to continue supporting national and regional initiatives that address both immediate social needs and long-term economic priorities.
Tah’s election reflects broad backing from African states and international stakeholders.
Several factors contributed to the strength of his candidacy, including the African Union’s rotating presidency in 2024 under Mohamed Ould Ghazouani.
He also got support from the Arab League countries and networks he developed during his ten years leading the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) from 2015 to 2025.
At BADEA, he oversaw improvements in credit ratings and expanded programs that financed development projects across the continent.
The official handover ceremony is expected to draw heads of state, development partners, and global financial leaders.
Observers note that Tah’s election demonstrates the influence of regional diplomacy and international networks in leadership decisions at Africa’s major development institutions.
Continuity from Adesina’s Tenure
Tah succeeds a decade of leadership under Adesina, who focused on the “High 5” priorities:
- Light Up and Power Africa
- Feed Africa,
- Industrialized Africa,
- Integrate Africa,
- Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa.
These priorities guided the Bank’s investments and development interventions, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals and reflecting the development priorities of African countries.
Under Adesina, the AfDB’s capital base rose from $93 billion to $208 billion in 2019—the largest increase in its history.
He also established the Africa Investment Forum, now a central platform for investment in the continent.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the bank issued a $3 billion Social Bond and a $10 billion Crisis Response Facility.
Food security initiatives included the $1.5 billion Emergency Food Production Facility, which provided support to 20 million farmers.
Funding and Development Priorities
One of Tah’s immediate challenges will be mobilizing new financing, particularly after the withdrawal of $555 million in U.S. aid from the African Development Fund, which had been directed at Africa’s most vulnerable countries.
Analysts note that Tah’s experience in multilateral finance and his diplomatic networks may be crucial in addressing funding gaps and sustaining the bank’s development programs.
Tah is expected to maintain the AfDB’s focus on projects with measurable social impact, including poverty reduction, job creation, access to essential services, support for agricultural value chains, and financial inclusion for women and youth.
Programs financed through the bank’s social bonds have historically supported access to clean water, sanitation, agricultural inputs, and microfinance initiatives.
Partnerships with institutions such as BADEA may help extend the reach of these programs.
Strategic Direction and Challenges Ahead
Tah’s presidency may also emphasize combining traditional development finance with innovative approaches, including blended finance models that mobilize private capital alongside public funding.
This strategy could increase the bank’s capacity to invest in infrastructure, renewable energy, and regional integration projects.
Climate resilience and sustainable development are expected to remain central priorities in his strategic planning.
As Africa faces ongoing economic and social challenges including post-pandemic recovery, food insecurity, and climate-related risks, the AfDB under Tah is positioned to remain a central actor in national and regional development efforts.
His ability to align financing strategies with measurable development outcomes will likely be an important marker of the bank’s continued influence in shaping Africa’s economic trajectory.
