Dr. Sidi Ould Tah of Mauritania has been elected President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), securing a commanding 76.18% of the vote in a three-round electoral contest. He will now lead the institution as its ninth president, succeeding Nigeria’s Akinwumi Adesina, who served two influential terms.
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Ould Tah triumphed over four other candidates, including Zambia’s Samuel Maimbo (20.26%) and Senegal’s Amadou Hott (3.55%). Chad’s Mahamat Abbas Tolli and South Africa’s Swazi Tshabalala were eliminated in earlier rounds, having secured 0.88% and 5.9% respectively.
Widely seen as the frontrunner heading into the final stages, Ould Tah built a broad coalition of support among both regional and non-regional member countries. His decisive win marks a diplomatic and institutional milestone for Mauritania, boosting its visibility in Africa’s leading development finance organization.
In his first address as president-elect, Ould Tah reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the AfDB’s core mission, supporting sustainable development, financing infrastructure, and accelerating economic transformation across Africa.
Headquartered in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, the AfDB plays a pivotal role in advancing the continent’s development priorities, with billions of dollars in active projects spanning energy, transport, agriculture, and finance.
As Ould Tah assumes office, his leadership will be tested by pressing issues such as climate change, the energy transition, youth unemployment, and growing debt burdens across several African economies.
