Dr Ould Tah assumes leadership of African Development Bank

AFRICA – Mauritanian national Dr Sidi Ould Tah has officially taken office as the ninth President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group.

He was sworn in on Monday September 1^st 2025, marking the start of a five-year term at the helm of the continent’s largest development lender.

Dr Tah, 60, succeeds Dr Akinwumi Adesina, who retired after serving two consecutive terms. He secured his election on May 28 with more than 76 percent of shareholder votes, the largest margin ever for a first-term president in the Bank’s history.

In his inaugural address, Dr Tah set out four immediate priorities that will guide his leadership in the first 100 days. He promised to “listen intently, launch a fast-track reform agenda, deepen partnerships, and accelerate real solutions.”

He urged the institution to embrace a broad outlook, stating, “Africa must look North, South, East and West, not to imitate, but to draw wisdom and strength from every direction while defining its own course. Like a navigator guided by the compass, the Bank should help Africa navigate the megatrends toward increased self-reliance, ambition, and agency.”

Dr Tah also pledged to expand AfDB’s collaboration beyond traditional donors by involving sovereign wealth funds and pension funds in financing Africa’s priorities.

Before his election, Dr Tah served as Mauritania’s Minister of Economy and Finance from 2008 to 2015. He also represented Mauritania on the boards of the AfDB, the World Bank, and the Islamic Development Bank.

He now leads an institution with a capital base of US$318 billion, AAA credit ratings sustained for 10 straight years, and the world’s highest transparency score for a sovereign portfolio, at 98.8 percent. Over the past decade, the Bank has approved $102 billion in development financing.

His presidency begins as Africa confronts climate shocks, rising debt, and the need to close large gaps in infrastructure and food systems.

Agriculture and infrastructure outlook

Dr Tah has highlighted agriculture as a sector that requires urgent support. He is expected to push for blended capital models that combine concessional and commercial funding to expand agribusiness financing, particularly in areas like storage, logistics, and climate-smart farming.

Inspired by earlier successes in other regional banks, he may support the creation of agricultural innovation hubs across East, West, and Southern Africa.

On infrastructure, he has signaled stronger partnerships with Gulf countries to co-finance transport, renewable energy, and digital projects. He aims to mobilize between U$50 and U$60 billion annually for development, even without raising shareholder capital.

He has also suggested that peace financing should be treated as part of infrastructure development, recognizing that stability underpins economic growth.

As Dr Tah takes over, the Bank faces the challenge of aligning its strategies with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals.

His leadership will be closely watched across the continent as the AfDB seeks to deliver both financial resources and strategic direction.

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