Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — The African Union Commission Chairperson, H.E. Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, has congratulated Dr. Sidi Ould Tah on his election as the new President of the African Development Bank Group, praising the Mauritanian economist’s leadership record and commitment to Africa’s development.
Dr. Tah, who previously served as Director General of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), was chosen as the ninth head of the continental financial institution during the AfDB Annual Meetings held this week in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
Chairperson Youssouf described Tah’s appointment as a strong signal of trust in his ability to drive Africa’s transformation agenda at a crucial moment. With the continent facing overlapping challenges—ranging from economic reform and infrastructure gaps to debt stress and climate pressures—the AU Commission sees his experience as an asset in shaping the next phase of Africa’s growth.
The AU Chair expressed optimism about deeper cooperation between the African Union and the AfDB under Tah’s leadership. He pointed to key joint initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA), and the Africa Vaccine Manufacturing Initiative as areas where partnership could yield lasting impact.
Dr. Tah takes the helm of the Bank amid growing urgency to fast-track progress on Agenda 2063, the African Union’s blueprint for inclusive development, as well as the continent’s push toward digital transformation and climate resilience.
Youssouf also extended appreciation to the outgoing AfDB President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina of Nigeria, for what he described as a decade of exemplary leadership and institution-building.
