Sidi Ould Tah Strengthens Position in AfDB Presidential Race After First Round
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Abidjan – The race for the presidency of the African Development Bank (AfDB) took a decisive turn following the first round of voting, where Mauritania’s Sidi Ould Tah emerged as a strong contender. He secured 33.21% of the total vote, placing second overall, and an impressive 47.03% of the regional (African) vote, making him the top African candidate in this highly competitive field.
African Leadership Advantage
Among the five candidates, Ould Tah outperformed his continental peers, leaving behind Senegal’s Amadou Hott (17.62%) and South Africa’s Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala (8.24%). The elimination of Chadian candidate Abbas Mahamat Tolli (0.52%) now opens the door for new strategic alliances, particularly with Central African countries, whose support could prove decisive in the next round.
| Candidate | Total Votes | Regional (African) Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Samuel Maimbo (Zambia) | 40.41% | 26.57% |
| Sidi Ould Tah (Mauritania) | 33.21% | 47.03% |
| Amadou Hott (Senegal) | 17.62% | 11.83% |
| Tshabalala (South Africa) | 8.24% | 13.68% |
| Tolli (Chad) | 0.52% | 0.88% (eliminated) |
A Strong Profile, a Clear Vision
Sidi Ould Tah brings over a decade of leadership experience, including his role as Director General of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), where assets rose from $4 to nearly $7 billion under his tenure. He enjoys the official backing of Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara, a key stakeholder in AfDB governance.
His strategic plan emphasizes mobilizing private capital, reforming Africa’s financial architecture, and leveraging the continent’s demographic dividend to build inclusive and sustainable growth.
“Africa needs a more ambitious, more inclusive and more agile AfDB to meet the needs of future generations,” Ould Tah stated following the vote.
A Game of Alliances Begins
The shift into the second round of voting is expected to spark new negotiations and realignments, especially among regional shareholders. With his strong African showing and growing international appeal, Sidi Ould Tah is well-positioned to consolidate support from both African and non-African shareholders, who together control the outcome of the vote.
Candidate Profile: Sidi Ould Tah
- Age: 57
- Nationality: Mauritanian
- Education: PhD in Agricultural Economics, Texas A&M University
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Languages: Arabic, French, English
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Key Roles:
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Minister of Economic Affairs and Development (2008–2015)
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Director General of BADEA (2015–2025)
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