By Kolawole Ojebisi
The newly elected7 President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Sidi Tah, has expressed his readiness to hit the ground running in a bid to transform the institution, saying that “the work begins now”.
Tah, a Mauritanian, made this declaration, on Friday, in his acceptance speech.
He thanked the African continent for the trust reposed in him.
The Mauritania’s former economy and finance minister promised to work to further lift the standard of the banking group.
He said, “I would first like to thank Africa for the trust it has just placed in me.
“I thank you, governors, regional and non-regional members, for your support. I am fully aware of the responsibility and duty that come with this position.
“I would particularly like to thank my country and its leader, President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, who supported my candidacy and worked tirelessly to achieve the outcome we have just witnessed.
“I thank all my Mauritanian sisters and brothers, and all my African sisters and brothers, for the outpouring of solidarity that accompanied my campaign.”
Tah continued: “A special mention must also go to my team, who did a remarkable job from start to finish. I would like to express my deep gratitude to them.
“I also want to thank all those who supported my candidacy, directly or indirectly, whom I cannot name individually in these circumstances. The work begins now, and I am ready.”
Tah defeated four other contestants, including Amadou Hott (Senegal), Samuel Maimbo (Zambia), Mahamat Abbas Tolli (Chad), and Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala (South Africa), to clinch the the AfDB’s top position.
The African Development Bank Group, established in 196,4, has been playing a pivotal role in championing Africa’s development agenda since its formation.
The African Development Bank Group comprises three entities: the African Development Bank, the African Development Fund and the Nigeria Trust Fund. Its shareholder countries include 54 African countries or regional member countries, and 27 non-African countries or non-regional member countries.
The institution has witnessed developmental strides with Africans of different nationals at its helm in its chequered history.
The outgoing president and Nigeria’s former Minister of Agriculture, Akinwumi Adesina served two tenures of 10 years.
According to Adesina in his farewell address the bank was able to raise its capital from $93 billion in 2015 to $318 billion in 2025, representing a 241.9% increase under his watch.
Adesina had described his tenure as both consuming and profoundly fulfilling, saying it requires absolute commitment to lead an institution of such scale and influence.
“This is not a job. If anyone is looking for a job, please don’t take it. This is not a job. This is a mission,” he had stated.
Tah will assume office on 1 September 2025, for a five-year term, following the end of the second mandate of the outgoing president, Akinwumi Adesina, which officially ends on August 31.
