Mauritanian economist and development finance expert, Sidi Ould Tah, has been sworn in as the 9th President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, succeeding Nigeria’s Akinwumi Adesina, whose decade-long tenure ended on Monday.
Tah, who previously headed the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), was elected on May 29 with 76.18 percent of the votes during the AfDB’s annual meetings in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
In his victory speech, the new president expressed readiness to begin his mandate, stressing that collaboration and hard work would be central to addressing Africa’s pressing challenges. He pledged to focus on economic development, social reform, debt management, climate action and peace-building.
Tah extended his gratitude to President Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire for hosting the swearing-in ceremony, and to Mauritania’s President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani for his support. He also thanked his home government, traditional and religious leaders, the private sector, civil society, and AfDB governors for their trust.
“I will work with all stakeholders in a spirit of consultation and collegiality to continue the mission of building a robust and prosperous Africa,” Tah said. “The ideas and proposals shared during these meetings will inspire me in this new journey.”
He further acknowledged the achievements of his predecessors, including Adesina, in consolidating the AfDB into one of the continent’s most important financial institutions.
Tah vowed to ensure the Bank plays a pivotal role in Africa’s transformation, saying its work must significantly contribute to sustainable development across the continent.
