New AfDB President Ould Tah has set out a four-point agenda together with, listening intently; fast-tracking reforms; deepening partnerships and accelerating actual options as his core priorities.
Mauritanian, Dr. Ould Tah, was elected on 29 Might 2025 with over 76% of shareholder votes—the very best margin for a first-term president within the Financial institution’s historical past.
The 60-year-old has taken over from Nigerian Dr. Akinwumi Adesina who served the lender for 2 consecutive phrases.
Mauritanian Dr. Sidi Ould Tah has taken over the steering of the African Developemnt Financial institution Group (AfDB), saying a four-point plan that includees, listening intently; launching a fast-track reform agenda; deepening partnerships and accelerating actual options because the core priorities that can mark his tenure beginning 1st September, 2025.
On Monday, the banker was sworn in because the because the ninth President of the AfDB Group at exactly11:04am Abidjan time, taking on from Nigerian Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, who has accomplished his two phrases on the helm of the Group.
Dr. Ould Tah, 60, who hails from the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, was elected on 29 Might 2025 with over 76 % of shareholder votes—the very best margin for a first-term president within the Financial institution’s historical past.
The brand new President reiterated that AfDB might be “attentive, responsive, and able to setting priorities that matter,” including that his management will improve partnerships by working carefully with governments, the non-public sector, and worldwide companions, “in order that collectively we create a monetary framework that serves Africa by itself phrases.”
Dr Sidi Ould Tah to increase AfDB’s partnerships base
Dr Ould Tah acknowledged the presence of Financial institution companions together with Finance in Frequent, the Alliance of African Monetary Establishments, the Worldwide Improvement Finance Membership, and the Arab Coordination Group, and pledged his readiness “to increase the Financial institution’s partnership to new gamers equivalent to sovereign funds, pension funds and others”.
Moreover, he made a dedication to “urgently revisit our funding fashions to incorporate a devoted pillar for funding in peace.”
President Ould Tah affirmed his intention to organise a Townhall “within the coming days” for Financial institution employees, whom he described because the “establishment’s most dear useful resource.”
Envisioning a significant function for the Financial institution as a information for a continent confronting the twenty first century challenges of demographics, expertise and local weather change, Ould Tah stated: “Africa should look North, South, East and West—to not imitate, however to attract knowledge and energy from each route whereas defining its personal course. Like a navigator guided by the compass, the Financial institution ought to assist Africa navigate the megatrends towards elevated self-reliance, ambition, and company,” he stated.
Nonetheless, he burdened, this necessary management function in crafting common options “formed by African views, African priorities, and African company” have to be approached in a selective method, saying, “The African Improvement Financial institution mustn’t intention to be every part to everybody. It ought to concentrate on the place it will possibly transfer the needle most, all the time with the spirit of partnership.”
Dr. Ould Tah monitor report
Beforehand, Dr. Ould Tah served as President of the Arab Financial institution for Financial Improvement in Africa (BADEA), the place he oversaw a landmark institutional transformation. Below his management, BADEA’s property grew from $4 billion to almost $7 billion, annual approvals elevated twelvefold and disbursements eightfold; and the establishment achieved AA+/AAA credit score scores.
He brings to the Presidency of the AfDB Group over 4 a long time of expertise in improvement banking, financial coverage, and institutional transformation. He additionally beforehand served as Minister of Economic system and Finance of Mauritania between 2008 and 2015, and Mauritania’s Governor on the Boards of the AfDB, the World Financial institution and the Islamic Improvement Financial institution, amongst others.
Fluent in Arabic, English and French, with working proficiency in Portuguese and Spanish languages, President Ould Tah holds a PhD in Economics from College of Good Sophia Antipolis, France, and superior levels from Paris VII-Jussieu and College of Nouakchott.
Dr. Ould Tah inherits a pan-African establishment with strong fundamentals: $318 billion in capital, AAA credit score scores maintained for 10 consecutive years, and the world’s highest transparency rating for a sovereign portfolio, at 98.8 %. Over the previous decade, the Financial institution has authorised $102 billion in improvement financing into numerous tasks throughout economies within the continent.
The viewers on the swearing-in ceremony included representatives of worldwide establishments and improvement companions, non-public sector, civil society, diplomats, members of the Financial institution’s Board of Administrators, and employees.
Three of the candidates who contested for the Presidency alongside Dr. Ould Tah—Ms. Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala, Mr. Amadou Hott and Dr. Samuel Munzele Maimbo—have been additionally in attendance.
Côte d’Ivoire’s President Alassane Ouattara, and his Mauritanian Counterpart President, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, graced the high-level ceremony held on the Sofitel Abidjan Hôtel Ivoire.
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New period of hope for AfDB below Sidi Ould Tah
Former AfDB Group Presidents Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, and Dr. Donald Kaberuka, in addition to the Financial institution Group’s Board of Governors, together with Government Administrators, employees and worldwide dignitaries have been in attendance to witness the change of management. The Republic of the Congo’s financial system minister Ludovic Ngatse in his capability as Chair of the Board of Governors of the Financial institution presided over the swearing in-ceremony.
President Ouattara termed the change of management a “milestone which comes at a historic second within the lifetime of our pan-African establishment” and “paves the way in which for a brand new period of hope for the Financial institution.”
In his remarks delivered instantly after the swearing-in ceremony President Ghazouani famous that, “Dr. Sidi Ould Tah has this heavy accountability to make sure that the Financial institution enhances its key function in selling the financial and social improvement of the continent, for it to stay a full lever when it comes to fulfilling the aspirations of African individuals to peace, prosperity and improvement.”
President Ghazouani expressed confidence within the Financial institution’s new president to ship for the continent, stating: “We would be the Financial institution that bridges divides-between areas, between ambitions and execution, between private and non-private, between urgency and forms. Allow us to transfer ahead collectively – with urgency, with unity, and with unwavering accountability.” Ould Tah stated in his well-received inaugural speech.
Learn additionally: What Sidi Ould Tah seeks to realize as AfDB’s new president
