Mauritania's Sidi Ould Tah Secures Position as President of the African Development Bank
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has a new leader, as Sidi Ould Tah, a renowned Mauritanian economist and politician, takes over from Nigeria's Akinwumi Adesina. This election marks a significant milestone for Mauritania, positioning the country prominently on the African diplomatic stage.
Born into a family of teachers in 1964, Ould Tah holds a doctorate in economics from the Université de Nice Sophia Antipolis. His career spans over four decades across African and international institutions.
Ould Tah's impressive career includes serving as the Minister of Economy and Finance in Mauritania for seven years, contributing to the country's economic development. He also led the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) from 2015 to 2025, during which he achieved a "AAA" rating for the bank and was named "Development Banker of the Year" in 2022.
The election process, which concluded after three rounds of voting, saw Ould Tah win with over 76% of the vote, demonstrating his broad support across African and international stakeholders.
As the new President of the AfDB, Ould Tah faces significant challenges and opportunities. His plans include expanding infrastructure investment, supporting entrepreneurs, and facilitating climate finance and improving credit access for youth and women, all vital for sustainable development and inclusivity.
The impact of Ould Tah's presidency is expected to be profound. His extensive experience in African and international finance will guide the AfDB in navigating complex development challenges. As a representative of Mauritania, a country at the crossroads of Arab, Francophone, and Sub-Saharan Africa, Ould Tah's leadership could enhance regional cooperation and integration.
The AfDB, under Ould Tah's leadership, will continue its commitment to addressing Africa's infrastructure needs. Initiatives such as the construction of Africa's largest wastewater treatment facility in Gabal el Asfar, Egypt, the expansion of the Lomé port in Togo, and the building of a strategic bridge linking Senegal and Gambia, underscore this commitment. These initiatives are aimed at driving sustainable development throughout the continent.
The AfDB's role in these projects underscores its pivotal role in addressing Africa's development needs. During Adesina's decade-long leadership, the bank's subscribed capital surged from $93 billion to $318 billion. The bank has also been involved in sanitation efforts in Lesotho and electricity access programs in Kenya, among other initiatives.
Following his election, Ould Tah acknowledged the responsibility and duty that comes with the mandate entrusted to him by the bank's member nations. He looks forward to leading the AfDB in its mission to drive sustainable development and improve the lives of millions of Africans.
Sidi Ould Tah, the new President of the AfDB, will leverage his extensive experience in African and international finance to navigate complex development challenges and expand infrastructure investment, all vital for sustainable development and inclusivity. As a representative of Mauritania, a country at the crossroads of Arab, Francophone, and Sub-Saharan Africa, Ould Tah's leadership could catalyze regional cooperation and integration,intertwining business, politics, and general-news inside the African continent.
