Elected at the African Development Bank’s 60th Annual Meetings in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, in May 2025, the new President of the African Development Bank has inherited a highly charged mandate. With insufficient growth, mounting public debt and a shortfall in climate financing, the new president will have to manoeuvre in an uncertain global context to address the urgent development needs of the African continent.
Sidi Ould Tah was elected with 76.18% of the votes at the 60th Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, held from May 26th to 30th 2025 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. He now takes over the reins of the AfDB Group. The former head of Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), who succeeds Akinwumi Adesina, whose governance was praised by his peers, will have to face a number of economic, social, and climate challenges. One of the key priorities will be managing growing indebtedness, with African public debt estimated at 59.2% of GDP in 2025.
“It is with great humility and a sense of responsibility that I address you at this particular moment. First of all, I would like to thank Africa for the trust it has placed in me. I would like to thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for this trust, for which I am aware of the responsibility and duty that go with it. I would particularly like to thank my country, led by His Excellency President Mahamadou, who supported my candidacy and who has made tireless efforts to achieve the results we have just seen.”
Sidi Ould Tah, President elect of the AfDB – Mauritania
In addition, Sidi Ould Tah will continue to strengthen Africa’s economic resilience to external shocks, promote intra-African trade via the AfCFTA, and maximise investment in key sectors such as agriculture and infrastructure to stimulate inclusive and sustainable growth in Africa.
It should be said that Sidi Ould Tah, a seasoned economist and expert in development strategies, has many years of experience in the public administration and with international and regional development banks.
