Mauritania’s former economy minister, Sidi Ould Tah, has been elected as the new president of the African Development Bank (AfDB), succeeding Nigeria’s Akinwumi Adesina. Tah, 60, secured the influential post on Thursday after just three rounds of voting, garnering an impressive 76.18% of the total vote.
Tah, who previously led the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) for a decade, outpaced Zambia’s Samuel Munzele Maimbo, who finished with 20.26%, and Senegal’s Amadou Hott, who took 3.55%.
To clinch the presidency, a candidate needed a majority of votes from both the 81 member countries and the 54 African nations represented within the AfDB. Tah achieved 72.37% support among African member states, solidifying his position as the bank’s new leader at a pivotal moment for Africa’s development finance landscape.
A New Era for Africa’s “Super Banker”
In 2015, Akinwumi Adesina became Africa’s so-called “super banker” after six rounds of voting. Tah’s quicker ascent highlights broad continental and international confidence in his leadership credentials and strategic vision for the bank’s future.
Samuel Munzele Maimbo offered congratulations in a statement, saying, “I entered this race driven by love and deep concern for our continent. Today, the Governors have chosen the leader they believe will best deliver the vision of the Africa we want at this pivotal moment.”
Priorities: Financial Independence, Infrastructure, and Climate Resilience
Tah steps into his new role amid an increasingly volatile global economic environment. One of his immediate challenges will be navigating the potential withdrawal of $500 million in US financing, a decision initially signaled under the Trump administration, which could impact critical AfDB-funded projects for low-income African nations.
In his leadership pitch, Tah pledged to:
Strengthen Africa’s regional financial institutions
Enhance the continent’s financial independence on global markets
Leverage Africa’s population growth for economic development
Prioritize climate-resilient infrastructure investment
His leadership is expected to build bridges between North African and sub-Saharan states, capitalizing on his extensive experience at BADEA.
Continuing Adesina’s Five Priorities
Under Adesina’s decade-long tenure, the AfDB focused on five strategic priorities: Lighting up and powering Africa, feeding Africa, industrializing Africa, integrating Africa, and improving the quality of life for Africans.
“I am proud of the legacy we are leaving behind for my successor and for Africa,” Adesina said earlier this week, noting that 565 million people had benefited from AfDB projects during his presidency.
Major initiatives include:
Africa’s largest wastewater treatment plant in Egypt
A bridge connecting Senegal and The Gambia
Expansion of Togo’s Port of Lomé
Sanitation projects in Lesotho
Expanded electricity access in Kenya
During Adesina’s leadership, the AfDB’s capital nearly quadrupled from $93 billion in 2015 to $318 billion in 2024.
A Key Role in Africa’s Future
As one of the world’s largest multilateral development banks, the AfDB plays a crucial role in funding infrastructure, energy, agriculture, and healthcare projects across Africa. Tah’s presidency comes at a critical juncture as the continent grapples with climate change, rapid urbanization, and a fast-growing population.
His election signals both continuity and new energy in Africa’s pursuit of financial sovereignty, sustainable growth.
