Former Mauritanian Finance Minister Tah Elected President Of AfDB

Former Mauritanian finance minister Sidi Ould Tah has been elected president of the African Development Bank (AfDB). Tah, who previously led the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, emerged victorious after three rounds of voting by the AfDB’s Board of Governors during their meeting in Abidjan, ultimately securing over 76% of the vote.

Ahead of the May 29 election, Tah pledged to implement internal reforms if elected. He emphasized the importance of enhancing the Bank’s efficiency, including speeding up project execution timelines and attracting top talent.

He outlined four key pillars that will guide his leadership, including expanding development financing and strengthening Africa’s financial infrastructure. At a press conference in Mauritania, Tah stressed the urgent need for increased funding, noting that the continent requires over $400 billion to meet its development goals. “The current level of financing is clearly insufficient,” he said.