Mauritania’s Sidi Ould Tah Elected President of African Development Bank

Sidi Ould Tah Elected President

Abidjan – May 29, 2025 (Rapide Info) – Mauritanian candidate Sidi Ould Tah has been elected President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) following the third round of voting held Thursday in Abidjan. He secured 76.18% of the total vote, including 72.37% of regional member support.

Formerly Director General of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), Ould Tah emerged victorious over Zambia’s Samuel Munzele Maimbo, who led the first round with backing from non-regional shareholders. Ould Tah’s win reflects a strong African consensus and a renewed drive for regional leadership within the institution.

The election comes at a time of heightened geopolitical challenges, with development priorities, financial sovereignty, and institutional reform high on Africa’s agenda.