Dr. Sidi Ould Tah was officially sworn in on Monday as the 9th President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, marking the beginning of a new leadership era for one of Africa’s most influential development institutions.
The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Sofitel Abidjan Hôtel Ivoire and was attended by a host of high-level dignitaries, including:
- President Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire
- President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani of Mauritania
- Ludovic Ngatsé, Chair of the AfDB Board of Governors and Congo’s Minister of Economy
- Outgoing AfDB President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina
- Representatives from international organizations, civil society, development partners, the private sector, and the AfDB’s executive leadership and staff
At exactly 12:05 GMT, Tah took the oath of office before the Bank’s Board of Governors composed of finance ministers and central bank governors from the 81 member countries.
Shortly after, at 12:15 GMT, he delivered his inaugural address following a formal citation by the master of ceremonies,Vincent Nmechielle.
A New Chapter for AfDB
A respected economist with over three decades of experience in development finance and international cooperation, the 60-year-old Mauritanian was elected on May 29, 2025, by the AfDB’s Board of Governors with 76.18% of the vote.
Prior to his election, Tah served as President of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) since 2015. He also previously held key roles in the Mauritanian government, including Minister of Economy and Finance.
His appointment reflects a strategic decision by the Bank’s shareholders to maintain the institution’s focus on inclusive growth, regional integration, climate resilience, and financial innovation.
A Legacy of Leadership
Tah succeeds Akinwumi Adesina, who concludes a transformative 10-year tenure as AfDB President. Under Adesina’s leadership, the Bank spearheaded numerous continental initiatives and reforms across agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and women’s empowerment.
In his farewell remarks, Adesina was widely praised for his vision and impact, having positioned the Bank as a premier development finance institution for Africa and a global thought leader on issues like climate finance and sustainable development.
Looking Ahead
In his address,Tah pledged to build on the Bank’s legacy while driving forward a renewed vision focused on:
- Accelerating industrialisation
- Supporting green and inclusive growth
- Expanding access to development financing
- Strengthening the role of African countries in global financial systems
“Today, we embark on a journey that demands both courage and innovation. Africa’s development challenges are great but so is our collective resolve to overcome them,” Tah said.
With a wider footprint across 54 African and 27 non-regional member countries, the AfDB continues to be instrumental in mobilizing resources for infrastructure, trade, job creation, and climate resilience on the continent.
