The day has finally arrived. After months of campaigning, high-level diplomacy, and intense behind-the-scenes lobbying, today, May 29, 2025, marks the election day for the next President of the African Development Bank (AfDB). The continent, and the world, is watching as five distinguished candidates from across Africa await the outcome of one of the most consequential leadership decisions in African finance.
Described by some observers as the “economic AFCON final,” this leadership contest will determine who takes the helm of Africa’s premier multilateral development finance institution, with a mandate to shape the continent’s economic trajectory for the next five years.
The Five Candidates in the Spotlight:
1. Amadou Hott – Senegal
A seasoned investment banker and former Minister of Economy, Planning and International Cooperation in Senegal, Hott is no stranger to the AfDB, having previously served as its Vice President for Power, Energy, Green Growth, and Climate Change. His blend of public policy and international finance experience has made him a front-runner in the race.
2. Samuel Munzele Maimbo – Zambia
Currently Chief of Staff at the World Bank’s Office of the President, Dr. Maimbo brings deep expertise in global finance, governance, and banking reform. With academic credentials that include a PhD in Public Administration and a strong accounting background, he represents a technocratic, globally-connected leadership style.
3. Sidi Ould Tah – Mauritania
As President of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), Ould Tah has led efforts to enhance Arab-African cooperation in economic development. His policy credentials and leadership in regional finance give him a unique cross-continental appeal.
4. Abbas Mahamat Tolli – Chad
Tolli, currently Governor of the Bank of Central African States (BEAC), brings heavyweight experience in monetary policy, having also served as Chad’s Minister of Finance and Prime Minister. He is seen as a champion of central African economic integration and macroeconomic stability.
5. Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala – South Africa
The only woman in the race, Tshabalala currently serves as the AfDB’s Senior Vice President. Her deep institutional knowledge and experience as former CFO of the Bank position her as a continuity candidate who could provide steady leadership at a critical time for the continent.
A Continent Awaits
As governors and shareholders of the Bank cast their votes behind closed doors, the question on everyone’s mind is: who will emerge as the next president to lead the AfDB into a new era of transformative development? With challenges ranging from climate resilience and infrastructure deficits to youth unemployment and debt sustainability, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
The winner of today’s election will not only inherit a prestigious title but also a responsibility to drive Africa’s economic resilience in an era of global uncertainty. The choice made today will echo across boardrooms, parliaments, and rural development sites for years to come.
