ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire — Sidi Ould Tah of Mauritania will be sworn in as the ninth President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) on Monday, September 1, 2025, marking a significant leadership transition for the continent’s premier development finance institution.
The inauguration ceremony will be held at the Sofitel Abidjan Hôtel Ivoire and broadcast globally via livestream. Ould Tah, 60, was elected on May 29 during the Bank’s Annual Meetings in Abidjan, securing 76.18% of the vote from the institution’s 81 member countries. He will serve a five-year term.
He succeeds Dr. Akinwumi Adesina of Nigeria, whose decade-long presidency was marked by sweeping reforms and the implementation of the Bank’s “High 5” strategic priorities, which focused on energy, food security, industrialization, regional integration, and improved quality of life across Africa.
The swearing-in will be officiated by Ludovic Ngatsé, Minister of Economy, Planning, and Regional Integration of the Republic of Congo, in his role as Chairperson of the AfDB Board of Governors. Dignitaries expected to attend include President Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire and President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani of Mauritania.
Ould Tah brings decades of experience in development finance, having served as President of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) since 2015. His tenure at BADEA was widely credited with modernizing the institution and expanding its footprint across the continent.
His appointment comes at a pivotal moment for Africa, as the region grapples with economic headwinds, climate challenges, and the need for deeper regional integration. Observers view his leadership as an opportunity to reinforce the Bank’s role in driving inclusive and sustainable growth.
The ceremony is expected to underscore the AfDB’s ongoing commitment to fostering prosperity and resilience across its member states.
