Dr. Sidi Ould Tah has been sworn in as the ninth President of the African Development Bank Group in a ceremony held at the Sofitel Abidjan Hôtel Ivoire in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
The event marked a significant leadership transition for the Bank, ushering in a new chapter under Dr. Tah’s stewardship.
Tah, a renowned economist with extensive experience in development finance management and international cooperation, took the oath of office before the Bank’s governors at 12:05 GMT.
With over 35 years of experience in African and international finance, Tah brings a wealth of knowledge to his new role.
Prior to his election as African Development Bank president, he served as President of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) from 2015 to April 2025, where he led a full transformation that quadrupled the Bank’s balance sheet and secured a coveted AAA rating.
Tah’s election reflects the shareholders’ desire to further strengthen the Bank’s role as a catalyst for development finance, regional integration, and climate resilience in Africa.
He was elected on May 29, 2025, with 76.18% of the votes by Bank Group governors representing the 81 member countries.
Tah succeeds outgoing Nigerian President Akinwumi Adesina, whose ten-year mandate enacted significant reforms and achievements for the continent’s development.
Tah’s tenure is expected to focus on mobilizing new sources of financing for the AfDB, particularly following the withdrawal of $555 million in U.S. aid from the African Development Fund.
He has pledged to serve the continent with humility and a deep sense of duty, emphasizing the need for immediate action to strengthen the Bank’s role in promoting sustainable development and poverty reduction across Africa.
