- Dr. Sidi Ould Tah is a Mauritanian economist and development finance expert with over two decades of experience in African economic policy and international development.
- He served as the Director General of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) from 2015 until his election to the AfDB presidency in 2024.
- During his tenure at BADEA, he led a major transformation that saw annual approvals increase twelvefold and non-performing loans drop to below 0.5%.
- Tah previously served as Mauritania’s Minister of Economy and Finance, giving him direct insight into national development planning and fiscal management.
- He is recognized as a diplomatic bridge between Africa and the Arab world, leveraging regional support and Mauritania’s AU leadership in his AfDB campaign.
- He holds a PhD in agricultural economics and development from Montpellier SupAgro in France, with a strong foundation in rural and agricultural policy.
- Tah has worked extensively with multilateral institutions and development partners, building credibility across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.
- He is multilingual, fluent in Arabic, French, and English, enabling him to operate effectively in diverse diplomatic and institutional settings.
- Known for his calm leadership and reform-driven approach, Tah emphasizes financial discipline, institutional performance, and inclusive growth.
- He is seen as a modern technocrat with a reputation for results, trusted to lead the AfDB into its next strategic decade.
So What?
Dr. Sidi Ould Tah’s election signals a shift toward pragmatic, reform-minded leadership at the African Development Bank. With deep expertise, regional backing, and a proven track record, he enters the role not just as a consensus candidate, but as a steady hand prepared to steer Africa’s top financial institution through a critical period of transformation.
