BREAKING: Mauritania’s Sidi Ould Elected Ninth AfDB President, to Succeed Nigeria’s Dr Akinwumi Adesina in September
The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group has elected Dr Sidi Ould Tah of Mauritania as its ninth president, marking a new chapter in the institution’s leadership. He will officially assume office in September 2025, succeeding Nigeria’s Dr Akinwumi Adesina, whose decade-long tenure transformed the bank into a leading force in Africa’s development landscape.
Dr Tah’s election was confirmed on Thursday, following a rigorous selection process involving AfDB’s Board of Governors. A seasoned economist and agricultural expert, he is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the bank’s mission of fostering sustainable development and economic integration across the continent.
Who is Dr Sidi Ould
Dr Sidi Ould Tah is a respected Mauritanian technocrat with over three decades of experience in public service, economic policy, and development finance.
Before his election, he served as Director General of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), where he led strategic financing efforts to support infrastructure, agriculture, and trade in African nations.
He has also held key ministerial roles in Mauritania, including Minister of Economic Affairs and Development, and Minister of Agriculture. Dr Tah holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Nice, France.
Known for his commitment to regional integration and poverty reduction, Dr Tah is widely regarded as a consensus-builder with deep knowledge of Africa’s development challenges and potential.
Dr Akinwumi Adesina: A Decade of Impact
Dr Akinwumi Adesina, a Nigerian development economist and former Minister of Agriculture, has served as AfDB President since 2015. Under his leadership, the bank launched the High 5s strategy—aimed at “Lightening up and powering Africa,” “Feeding Africa,” “Industrializing Africa,” “Integrating Africa,” and “Improving the quality of life for the people of Africa.” His tenure saw the bank’s capital base increase significantly and its role in financing critical infrastructure, climate resilience, and food security deepened.
Dr Adesina, a former Rockefeller Foundation scholar and World Food Prize laureate, has been widely praised for transforming AfDB into a globally respected institution and a strong advocate for Africa’s economic sovereignty.
As the African Development Bank transitions to a new era under Dr Sidi Ould Tah, stakeholders across the continent are watching with high expectations that the momentum of growth, innovation, and strategic investment will continue.
About The Author
