Dr. Sidi Ould Tah has officially assumed office as the ninth President of the African Development Bank Group, following a swearing-in ceremony held on Monday at the Sofitel Abidjan Hôtel Ivoire in Côte d’Ivoire.
The event, which began at 12:05 GMT, was attended by high-level dignitaries including the Chair of the AfDB Board of Governors and Congo’s Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Integration, Ludovic Ngatsé; Côte d’Ivoire’s President, Alassane Ouattara; outgoing AfDB President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina; Mauritania’s President, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani; as well as representatives of international organizations, development partners, and members of the private sector.
After taking his oath before the Bank’s Board of Governors—comprising Ministers of Finance and Central Bank Governors of the 81 member countries—Tah addressed the gathering with a pledge to consolidate the Bank’s role as a driver of Africa’s growth.
“I am deeply honoured by the trust placed in me to lead this great institution,” Tah said.
“Together, we must strengthen the African Development Bank as a catalyst for development finance, regional integration, and climate resilience on the continent.”
The 60-year-old Mauritanian economist, who previously served as President of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa since 2015, also held senior positions in his country’s government, including Minister of Economy and Finance.
His election on May 29, 2025, in Abidjan, secured 76.18 percent of votes from the 81 member countries—54 African and 27 non-regional—underscoring strong support for his leadership. He succeeds Nigeria’s Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, who completed a transformative 10-year tenure.
In his farewell remarks, Adesina highlighted the progress achieved during his administration.
“The last decade has been one of reforms, resilience, and results for Africa. I am confident that under Dr. Tah’s leadership, the Bank will reach even greater heights,” he said.
Tah, in response, praised his predecessor for laying a solid foundation. “Dr. Adesina’s decade of service has left an indelible mark. It is now my duty to build on that legacy and chart a bold path for Africa’s sustainable development,” he stated.
