Dr. Sidi Ould Tah Sworn In as Ninth AfDB President in Abidjan
By Erewunmi Peace
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has officially sworn in Dr. Sidi Ould Tah as its ninth President during an inauguration ceremony held on September 1, 2025, in Abidjan.
The high-profile event at the Sofitel Hôtel Ivoire was attended by notable dignitaries, including Côte d’Ivoire’s President Alassane Ouattara, Mauritania’s President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, and outgoing AfDB President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, among others.
Dr. Tah, a Mauritanian economist with decades of experience in development finance, took the oath of office at 11:04 AM Abidjan time, pledging to drive economic transformation across Africa through innovative policies and strategic partnerships.
Elected on May 29, 2025, during the Bank’s Annual Meeting, Tah secured a record-breaking 76% of the votes, the highest first-term mandate in AfDB history. Prior to this appointment, he served as the head of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) and previously held ministerial positions in Mauritania.
Outgoing President Akinwumi Adesina commended Tah’s leadership capabilities, expressing confidence in his ability to accelerate sustainable development across the continent.
