Dr. Sidi Ould Tah was sworn in as the 9th President of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) on Monday, marking a historic leadership transition for Africa’s premier development finance institution. The 60-year-old Mauritanian economist, elected on May 29, 2025, with an unprecedented 76% of shareholder votes—the highest margin for a first-term president—took his oath of office at a ceremony held at the Sofitel Abidjan Hôtel Ivoire.
The event, presided over by Ludovic Ngatsé, Republic of Congo’s Minister of Economy and Chair of the AfDB’s Board of Governors, was attended by high-profile dignitaries, including Côte d’Ivoire President Alassane Ouattara, Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, outgoing AfDB President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, and former President Dr. Donald Kaberuka. The ceremony marked the end of Adesina’s transformative 10-year tenure, which strengthened the Bank’s role in driving continental development.
President Ouattara hailed the transition as a “milestone” for the AfDB, signaling a “new era of hope” for the institution. President Ghazouani expressed confidence in Dr. Ould Tah’s ability to lead, emphasizing his “heavy responsibility” to advance economic and social development across Africa.
In his inaugural address, Dr. Ould Tah outlined his “Four Cardinal Points” to guide his first 100 days: engaging stakeholders to align on priorities, launching reforms to boost operational efficiency, deepening partnerships with African and global institutions, and accelerating solutions for finance access, job creation, and industrial growth. He stressed the Bank’s need to focus on high-impact areas, stating, “The AfDB should not aim to be everything to everyone but must move the needle most, always in partnership.” He also pledged to enhance collaborations with governments, the private sector, and new players like sovereign and pension funds, while introducing a dedicated investment pillar for peace.
Dr. Ould Tah, a seasoned economist with a PhD, brings over 40 years of experience in development finance. Previously, he served as President of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), where he grew assets from $4 billion to nearly $7 billion and secured AA+/AAA credit ratings. His prior roles include Mauritania’s Minister of Economy and Finance and board positions at the World Bank and Islamic Development Bank. Fluent in Arabic, English, and French, with proficiency in Portuguese and Spanish, Dr. Ould Tah is well-equipped to lead the AfDB, which boasts $318 billion in capital and a decade-long AAA credit rating.
As he steps into this pivotal role, Dr. Ould Tah faces challenges such as a $555 million funding cut from the U.S. to the African Development Fund. However, his international network and proven track record are expected to drive innovative financing solutions and reinforce the AfDB’s mission to foster Africa’s economic sovereignty and sustainable growth
