The African Development Bank (AfDB) has entered a new era following the official appointment of Mauritanian economist Sidi Ould Tah as president. His inauguration took place on Monday in Côte d’Ivoire, where he pledged to cut red tape, strengthen partnerships, and expand access to finance, with a strong focus on empowering women and youth.
Dr. Ould Tah succeeds Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, who won praise for elevating the AfDB’s global standing and positioning it as a leading financier of African development. Adesina’s tenure was marked by innovative partnerships and an ability to secure international support for the bank’s programmes.
Speaking to VOC News, Dr. Paul Kariuki, Executive Director of the Democracy Development Programme and Convener of the Africa Policy Circle, said Ould Tah takes over at a time of both promise and uncertainty.
“He comes in at a time when there’s a lot of shifts taking place on the continent, from political shifts to economic shifts, and they are all going to influence the way he interprets his vision for the continent and for the bank,” Kariuki explained.
Kariuki acknowledged the solid foundation left by Adesina but stressed that Ould Tah faces different realities, particularly around funding.
“He’s coming at a time when the U.S. has less appetite to continue supporting the African continental agenda in the way his predecessor enjoyed,” he said.
However, Kariuki believes this challenge could also be an opportunity.
“It’s actually an opportune time for him to show his capabilities on how he’ll keep the African Development Bank still a viable financier of African development without external entanglements, and secondly, how he’s going to persuade African member states to continue supporting the African agenda financially,” Kariuki added.
Another key challenge will be fostering unity among member states. Regional integration has often faltered, with some countries opting for bilateral deals over collective action. Kariuki stressed the importance of building consensus: “There needs to be a common vision that can be embraced by all member states, not only to support the work of the African Development Bank, but also the inter-African development agenda.”
Despite the hurdles, Kariuki remains optimistic about Ould Tah’s appointment.
“He comes in with a very serious CV in terms of his competencies and experiences, and also his stature as an African statesman. He has an enviable opportunity to continue the work of his predecessor but also to create a niche that will identify his own vision for the continent,” said Kariuki.
Listen to full interview below:
VOC News
Photo: X/ @AfDB_Group
