Dr. Sidi Ould Tah has officially been sworn in as the ninth President of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), succeeding Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, who has completed two transformative terms at the helm of the institution. His election on May 29, 2025, with more than 76% of shareholder votes, marks the highest margin ever achieved by a first-term president in the Bank’s history, signaling strong confidence from AfDB’s stakeholders in his leadership.
A Mauritanian national, Dr. Ould Tah brings extensive leadership experience to the AfDB. During his tenure as Director General of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), he oversaw unprecedented institutional growth. Under his leadership, BADEA’s assets rose from \$4 billion to nearly \$7 billion, annual approvals increased twelvefold, disbursements expanded eightfold, and the institution secured prestigious AA+/AAA credit ratings. These accomplishments highlight his track record in driving growth, reform, and financial stability.
In his inaugural speech, Dr. Ould Tah outlined his “Four Cardinal Points,” which will guide his first 100 days in office. These include listening intently, launching a fast-track reform agenda, deepening partnerships, and accelerating real solutions. He emphasized that his vision for AfDB is to serve as a bridge—connecting regions, ambitions, public and private sectors, and ensuring urgency over bureaucracy. His call for accountability, urgency, and unity sets the tone for his administration.
He further stressed the importance of Africa charting its own path while drawing wisdom globally. “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,” he noted. Using the metaphor of a compass, he positioned AfDB as a navigator to help Africa address megatrends and move toward increased self-reliance, ambition, and agency.
Dr. Ould Tah’s career is deeply rooted in both economic and policy leadership. He served as Mauritania’s Minister of Economy and Finance between 2008 and 2015 and represented the country on the boards of leading global financial institutions, including the African Development Bank, World Bank, and Islamic Development Bank. His extensive experience at the intersection of governance, finance, and international development positions him to steer AfDB through the evolving challenges and opportunities facing Africa.
His presidency marks a new chapter for AfDB, one that prioritizes reform, inclusivity, and actionable solutions for the continent’s development. As Africa continues to confront pressing challenges—from climate change to infrastructure development and digital transformation—Dr. Ould Tah’s leadership offers renewed momentum for an institution central to Africa’s growth and resilience.
AfDB #Leadership #AfricaDevelopment #Economy #Finance #Partnerships #Governance #SidiOuldTah #EconomicGrowth #Reform #Sustainability #Transformation
