Tah says AfDB presidency marks start of journey to drive Africa’s transformation
Sidi Ould Tah, the newly elected president of the African Development Bank (AfDB) group, says his election marks the beginning of a challenging and inspiring journey to drive Africa’s transformation with unity, ambition, and purpose.
In a message shared on his X page, Tah said he is humbled to be elected as the president of the AfDB group.
“I am humbled and honored to be elected President of the @AfDB_Group,” he wrote.
“I extend my deepest gratitude to all who supported me – regional and non-regional members of the Bank and the leaders and countries that they represent.
“This marks the beginning of a challenging yet inspiring journey—together, we will drive Africa’s transformation with unity, ambition, and purpose.”
Earlier on Thursday, the Mauritanian was elected the ninth president of the AfDB group to succeed Akinwumi Adesina in September.
The AfDB board of governors, comprising finance and economy ministers or central bank governors of the banks 81 regional and non-regional member countries, voted to elect Tah.
The board is the highest decision-making authority for the bank group.
According to media reports, he defeated four other candidates after three rounds of voting, securing 76.18 percent of the vote cast to beat Zambia’s Samuel Maimbo, who had 20.26 percent and Senegal’s Amadou Hott, with just 3.55 percent.
In 2015, it took six rounds for Adesina to secure the presidency, with 58.1 percent of the vote.
Tah will serve as the AFDB president for a five-year term, following the end of the second mandate of Adesina.
