Mauritania’s Sidi Ould Tah Elected AfDB President

Addis Ababa, May 29, 2025 (FMC) — Sidi Ould Tah of Mauritania has been elected President of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) during its Annual Meetings in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

Tah, who secured the required majority from regional and non-regional members, brings over 35 years of experience. As head of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) from 2015 to 2025, he expanded the bank’s balance sheet fourfold, secured a AAA rating, and built key partnerships.

AfDB Board Chair Niale Kaba called the election “a turning point” for African development finance. A former Mauritanian finance minister, Tah has led major financial reforms, including a $1 billion capital program for African lenders.

He succeeds Dr. Akinwumi Adesina of Nigeria.