Mauritanian economist Sidi Ould Tah was sworn in on Monday last week as the ninth president of the African Development Bank (AfDB), following his election on 29 May with 76.18% of the votes during the institution’s annual meetings.
He succeeds Nigeria’s Akinwumi Adesina, who steps down after a transformative decade at the helm.
Mr. Tah, who previously led the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, said he was assuming leadership at a “pivotal moment” for the continent.
Founded in 1964, the AfDB has grown into Africa’s largest development finance institution. Outlining his first 100-day priorities, Tah pledged to listen, fast-track reforms, deepen partnerships, and deliver practical solutions.
He vowed to strengthen cooperation with governments, the private sector, and international partners, while expanding engagement with new actors such as sovereign wealth and pension funds.
Acknowledging global development allies, he committed to revisiting AfDB’s investment models, including a new pillar dedicated to peace investments. Addressing staff, he described them as the Bank’s “most valuable resource” and promised an imminent town hall engagement.
Positioning AfDB as a compass for Africa amid demographic shifts, climate shocks, and technological change, Tah cautioned against overreach: “The Bank should not aim to be everything to everyone, but focus on areas where it can move the needle most.”
Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, a former Nigerian agriculture minister, exits after two terms marked by expansion and global recognition. Under his leadership, AfDB grew its capital base from US$93 billion in 2015 to US$318 billion in 2025, secured a record US$8.9 billion replenishment for its concessional arm, and launched the Africa Investment Forum, which has mobilized US$180 billion in commitments. The Bank also issued a landmark US$3 billion COVID-19 social bond.
According to AfDB data, its investments over the past decade transformed 515 million lives, including 231 million women, through improved health, clean water, sanitation, ICT services, and electricity access.
World leaders including Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and António Guterres praised Adesina’s tenure, citing contributions to food security, climate finance, and pandemic recovery.
Sidi Ould Tah now inherits a stronger balance sheet and louder global voice for Africa, but also faces mounting challenges rising debt burdens, tighter financing conditions, climate shocks, and fragile investor appetite.
