The African Development Bank has officially announced the five candidates cleared to contest its upcoming presidential election, scheduled for May 29, 2025.
The election will determine the next leader of the AfDB, a crucial institution driving Africa’s economic development and financial stability.
According to a statement issued by the AfDB, the candidates were approved by the Bank’s Steering Committee after a rigorous evaluation and qualification process. The cleared candidates are: Mr. Hott Amadou (Senegal), Dr. Maimbo Munzele (Zambia), Mr. Tah Ould (Mauritania), Mr. Tolli Mahamat (Chad) and Ms. Tshabalala Swazi (South Africa)
The selection process follows the impending conclusion of the current AfDB President, Prof. Akinwumi Adesina’s tenure in May 2025. With his term coming to an end, the candidates seek either to build upon his legacy or introduce new leadership strategies for the institution.
The Steering Committee of the Board of Governors on the Election of the President of the AfDB met on February 11 and 12, 2025, at the Bank’s headquarters in Abidjan to review the applications and finalize the list of contenders.
The AfDB president is elected by the Board of Governors for a renewable five-year term. To secure victory, a candidate must obtain at least 50.01% of the total votes from the Bank’s regional (African) member countries and at least 50.01% from all member countries (both regional and non-regional).
The Board of Governors, composed of representatives from the Bank’s member nations, plays a pivotal role in the election process by assessing the candidates and casting votes. Regional economic blocs such as ECOWAS, SADC, and COMESA are also expected to influence the outcome, especially when they rally behind a particular candidate.
