New AfDB Group President spells out his first 100 days in office

September 2, 2025 in Finance by Editor

In his inaugural address, Dr. Tad said, “We must work hand in hand with governments, the private sector and our international partners, not in isolation, but in synergy, so that together, we can ensure that finance serves Africa on its own terms.”

The new President of the African Development Bank Group, Mauritanian national, Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, has spelt out his priorities during the next 100 days, reminding dignitaries and guests at his swearing-in on Monday, the Group cannot aim to be everything to everyone and partnerships were critical for achieving effective results. He takes over as the ninth president after Dr. Akinwumi Adesina served two five year terms in the role.

Dr. Tah said, “The African Development Bank Group cannot aim to be everything to everyone. It must focus on how it can move the needle most effectively, always in a spirit of partnership. We must work hand in hand with governments, the private sector and our international partners, not in isolation, but in synergy, so that together, we can ensure that finance serves Africa on its own terms.”

In his inaugural address delivered with portions in French and English at the Group headquarters in Abidjan, Dr.Tah said he intends to begin his journey by embracing humility with a spirit of consultation and a commitment to pragmatism.

He said the path ahead requires not only vision, but also credibility—sending clear signals that the Bank is responsive, accountable and aligned with development priorities. “Africa must look north, south, east and west. Not to imitate, but to draw wisdom and strength from each direction, while charting its own course,” he said.

AfDB Group currently has $318 billion in capital, an AAA credit rating which it has maintained for 10 consecutive years, and has the world’s highest transparency score for a sovereign portfolio, at 98.8%. Over the past decade, the Bank has approved $102 billion in development financing.

Dr. Tah said during the first 100 days he will have meaningful engagements with clients, partners, and stakeholders to ensure an collective agenda reflects their respective needs and ambitions.

“Second, launching a comprehensive reform agenda to improve our speed of operation, enhance our execution and cut through bureaucratic bottlenecks.Third, strengthening partnerships with African and global institutions, private sector actors, so that we can mobilize finance at scale and deliver sustainable impact, particularly given the urgency of financing needs and climate finance. Fourth, accelerating efforts to expand access to financing, create jobs,” he said.

Dr. Tah is a distinguished economist, seasoned statesman, and transformative development banker, whose career spans over four decades of high-impact leadership across African and international institutions.

From 2015 until April 15, 2025, Dr. Tah served as President of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), where he led a landmark institutional transformation that firmly repositioned the Bank as a leading force in Africa’s development finance landscape. Under his visionary leadership, BADEA attained prestigious AA+/AAA credit ratings, increased its total assets from $4 billion to nearly $7 billion, and established itself as a model of operational excellence and strategic foresight.

Dr. Tah’s tenure was defined by innovation and resilience. He crafted and executed the Bank’s first 10-year strategy, BADEA 2030, and articulated a bold long-term vision with BADEA 2074, aligning the institution with Africa’s Agenda 2063. Amid Sudan’s political crisis, he orchestrated the seamless relocation of BADEA’s headquarters from Khartoum to Riyadh—an extraordinary feat of crisis management and institutional continuity. Project approvals more than quadrupled under his leadership, digital infrastructure was significantly modernized, and the Bank maintained one of the lowest non-performing loan ratios among African DFIs.

He said the African Development Bank Group cannot deliver on all its priorities alone. This is why partnership is essential. The Bank is already an active member of the MDB (Multilateral Development Bank) association, and works very closely with the World Bank, the IMF, and other partners around the world.

“I am pleased to see that today, we have in this room several colleagues who believe in the importance of partnership and who are ready to work together with the African Development Bank Group to join forces to mobilize resources and scale up African development and to forge new African financial capital. I intend to expand partnerships to new players, such as sovereign wealth funds, pension funds and others,” he said.

Dr. Tah also highlighted the role of the all the Group staff members. “Allow me to take this moment to send a special message to our employees. You are undoubtedly the most valuable resource of our institution. Your role is crucial in Africa’s transformation. In the coming days, I intend to organize town halls and establish regular meetings with you for exchange and consultation,” he said.