Mauritania’s Sidi Ould Tah has been elected the ninth president of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB). The announcement was made on Thursday during the Bank’s Annual Meetings in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, following a competitive election that brought together top candidates from across the continent.

Tah’s election reflects widespread confidence in his proven track record of financial leadership and transformation. He secured the required majority of at least 50.01% of both regional and non-regional votes, defeating notable contenders including Senegal’s Amadou Hott, Zambia’s Samuel Maimbo, Chad’s Mahamat Abbas Tolli, and South Africa’s Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala.

Set to assume office on September 1, 2025, Tah brings over 35 years of high-level experience in African and global finance. Most recently, he served for a decade as president of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), where he spearheaded a full-scale transformation of the institution. Under his leadership, BADEA’s balance sheet quadrupled, the bank achieved a coveted AAA credit rating, and it emerged as one of Africa’s most respected development finance institutions.

Tah’s leadership is widely credited for launching BADEA’s innovative $1 billion callable capital programme for African multilateral development banks, a significant initiative aimed at strengthening the continent’s financial independence and resilience. His strategic approach has been pivotal in securing funds, enhancing institutional performance, and crafting forward-thinking policies that prioritize sustainable development.

Before his decade at BADEA, Tah served as Mauritania’s Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance, where he played a central role in driving economic reforms and crisis response mechanisms. He has also held senior positions in other multilateral financial institutions, further enriching his expertise in the field.

The election process officially began on July 1, 2024, with the call for nominations to AfDB’s 81 member countries. The final vote was carried out by the Board of Governors, comprising finance and economy ministers or central bank governors from member states, making it the highest decision-making body within the Bank.

With Tah at the helm, the AfDB is poised to deepen its impact across the continent, guided by a leader whose career has been defined by transformation, resilience, and innovation.