Mauritania’s Sidi Ould Tah has been elected as the ninth president of the African Development Bank Group.

His election was officially announced on Thursday via the AfDB’s website.

The announcement was made by Niale Kaba, Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Planning and Development and Chairman of the AfDB’s Board of Governors.

Tah secured the presidency with at least 50.01% of votes from both regional and non-regional member countries, as required by the Bank’s electoral rules.

The Board of Governors, composed of Finance and Economy Ministers or Central Bank Governors from the AfDB’s 81 member countries, serves as the institution’s highest decision-making body.

According to the statement, Tah a seasoned financial expert with over 35 years of experience, previously served as president of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa from 2015, where he oversaw a transformation that quadrupled the bank’s balance sheet and earned it a AAA rating.

His tenure also included launching a $1 billion callable capital program for African multilateral development banks.

A former Mauritanian Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance, has held senior roles in multilateral institutions, driving crisis response, financial reforms, and resource mobilization across Africa.

Tah emerged victorious from a competitive field of five candidates, approved by the Board of Governors Steering Committee following nominations closed on January 31, 2025.

The other contenders were Amadou Hott (Senegal), Samuel Maimbo (Zambia), Mahamat Abbas Tolli (Chad), and Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala (South Africa).

He will assume office on September 1, 2025, succeeding Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, whose second term as AfDB President concludes.

His five-year term will focus on advancing the Bank’s mission to drive sustainable economic growth and development across Africa.