Sidi Ould Tah takes helm at AfDB, unveils 100-day reform plan

Sidi Ould Tah, a seasoned economist from the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, was officially sworn in as the new president of the African Development Bank (AfDB) on September 1.

The 60-year-old was elected on 29 May 2025, with over 76 per cent of shareholder votes, the highest margin for a first-term president in the Bank's history.

Sidi succeeds Akinwumi Adesina, who completed his two five-year terms on August 30, and now leads the regional lender, which plays a crucial role in financing development projects across Africa.

As he assumes leadership, all eyes are on his strategic vision and immediate priorities, aimed at driving sustainable growth and economic transformation in Africa.

In his inaugural speech, Sidi outlined his agenda for the first 100 days in office, identifying four key priorities: listening intently; launching a fast-track reform agenda; deepening partnerships; and accelerating real solutions.

He added that under his leadership, the bank will be attentive, responsive, and capable of setting priorities that matter.

He went on to note that the bank will enhance partnerships by working closely with governments, the private sector, and international partners to create a financial framework that serves Africa on its own terms.

“We will be the bank that bridges divides between regions, between ambitions and execution, between public and private, between urgency and bureaucracy,” Sidi said.

Envisioning a vital role for the bank as a guide for a continent confronting the 21st century challenges of demographics, technology and climate change, Sidi said Africa must look North, South, East and West, not to imitate, but to draw wisdom and strength from every direction while defining its own course.

“Like a navigator guided by the compass, the bank should help Africa navigate the megatrends toward increased self-reliance, ambition and agency,” he said.

However, he stressed, this important leadership role in crafting universal solutions shaped by African perspectives, African priorities, and African agency must be approached in a selective manner.

“The African Development Bank should not aim to be everything to everyone. It should focus on where it can move the needle most, always with the spirit of partnership.”

Sidi is the former president of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), where he oversaw a landmark institutional transformation.

Under his leadership, BADEA’s assets grew from $4 billion (Sh516.9 billion) to nearly $7 billion (Sh904.6 billion).

Furthermore, the institution’s annual approvals grew twelvefold, disbursements rose eightfold, and it attained AA+/AAA credit ratings.

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He brings to the presidency of AfDB over four decades of distinguished experience in development banking, economic policy, and institutional transformation.

He also previously served as Minister of Economy and Finance of Mauritania between 2008 and 2015, and Mauritania’s Governor on the Boards of the African Development Bank, World Bank and and the Islamic Development Bank, among others.

Sidi inherits a pan-African institution with robust fundamentals: $318 billion (Sh41.1 trillion) in capital, AAA credit ratings maintained for 10 consecutive years, and the world's highest transparency score for a sovereign portfolio, at 98.8 per cent.

Over the past decade, the Bank has approved $102 billion (Sh13.19 trillion) in development financing.