The African Development Bank (AfDB) yesterday elected Sidi Ould Tah as its new president and successor to the outgoing leader Akinwumi Adesina who has led the institution for the last 10 years.
Tah holds a Ph.D. in agricultural economics from France and brings over three decades of experience in economic development, public policy, and finance across Africa and the Arab world.
He is from Mauritania in Northwestern Africa.
Until his election, Tah was Director General of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), where he oversaw a strategic expansion in project financing for energy, transport, and agriculture across sub-Saharan Africa.
Under his leadership, BADEA scaled up its cooperation with African nations, signing major infrastructure deals and offering concessional funding to fragile economies.
Before his role at the Arab bank, Ould Tah served as Mauritania’s Minister of Economic Affairs and Development, where he was in charge of formulating the country’s economic strategy, managing donor relationships, and spearheading reforms to attract foreign investment.
He also worked as a senior advisor to the Mauritanian Prime Minister and has served in various capacities in Islamic Development Bank–funded projects.
Yesterday, Tah polled over 70% in a widely reported election of many rounds of voting that also had four other distinguished Africans as contestants.
These contestants included Amadou Hott (Senegal), Samuel Munzele Maimbo (Zambia), Abbas Mahamat Tolli (Chad) and Swazi Tshabalala Bajabulile (South Africa). Swazi was the only female in the race.
The election was held in the Ivorian capital of Abidjan.
Ould Tah will be the ninth President of the AfDB.
The emergence of Tah, a seasoned economist and development expert, comes at a critical time when Africa is grappling with financing shortfalls, amidst a huge infrastructure deficit and enduring energy poverty.
Over 600 million Africans still lack access to electricity, even though the outgoing President claims to have helped connect more than 25 million people to clean power over the last 10 years.
The question remains: will Tah perform the magic?
This question becomes more important if you consider the recent shifts in global politics that are already having grave impacts on Africa.
The US government, which has been a major energy partner for the continent, is withdrawing its financial support to the bank.
President Donald Trump has proposed to eliminate over $500 million in contribution to the AfDB.
His administration has also decided to end the Power Africa Initiative, which was originally aimed at adding 30 GW of renewable energy capacity across the continent by the tail of the decade.
These developments, among others that have sprung up recently, could jeopardize the bank’s key energy initiatives like the “Mission 300”, “Desert to Power”, and “New Deal for Energy in Africa which were begun by Adesina.
However, analysts believe that Tah’s practical experience in mobilising capital for large-scale energy and infrastructure projects will be crucial as the AfDB continues to push these electrification goals.
Although calm and technocratic in approach, when compared to the more high-profile style of his predecessor, insiders say the Mauritanian is effective, collaborative, and focused on results.
Under his leadership, structured financing, closer ties with Arab and Islamic development institutions, a renewed focus on climate-resilient infrastructure, and private sector-led growth are some of the expected outcomes.
As he assumes one of Africa’s most influential development roles, the spotlight is now on how Sidi Ould Tah will steer AfDB’s mission in tackling some of the continent’s most urgent challenges.
Africans are praying for Tah.
Even villagers in remote communities across the continent who have not had the opportunity of knowing what electricity is like are also praying. Perhaps the time of their visitation will come under Tah.