Nouakchott – When Sidi addressed the media on Tuesday, May 6th, he hopes to use the opportunity to position himself as the next president of the African Development Bank (AFDB). Mauritanian is one of five candidates looking to replace Nigerian Akinwumi Adesina, and his tenure as head of the AFDB ended in August 2025.
Dozens of journalists from all over the continent are gathering at Noakchot ahead of Taha’s reporting engagement. His team says it is expected to highlight his vision for AFDB and why he is best suited to the role. Tah previously led the economic development of the Arab Bank of Africa (Badea) and was Mauritania’s finance minister from 2008 to 2015.
The economist will unleash Africa’s financial strength, “We must make every dollar work like 10,” the economist said in a statement announcing upcoming events. Among the policies he is pursuing, he said it is expanding access to funding for African entrepreneurs, strengthening food security and strengthening regional integration. Tar wants to maximize the potential of the continent’s youthful population, saying, “Youth and women are not challenges, they are engines, assets, and not burdens.”
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The finance ministers and governors of the member states who will form the bank’s board of directors will elect Adesina’s successor at a rally in Abidjan later this month.
The other four candidates will challenge presidency, including the presidency. Zambia’s Samuel Munsel Maimbo is the vice president of the World Bank. South Africa’s Bajabulile Swazi Tshabala is the only female candidate to step down from her role as Senior Vice President of AFDB to seek top job. Abbas Mahamato Tori of Chad was an economist and former governor of the Bank of Central Africa.
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Analysts say that anyone who wins will step into big shoes given Adesina’s leadership, which helps promote key sectors such as energy, food security, infrastructure and healthcare. Adesina is also recognized as “historic financial mobilization” by premium development financial institutions in Africa. Under his leadership, the AFDB experienced the largest capital increase in history, expanding from $93 billion in 2015 to $318 billion.
Despite progress, Africa is at a critical time amid rising global trade tensions. “African development banks must stand up to meet the moment with a focus on bold leadership, deeper regional partnerships and sustainable growth that penetrates deeper so that no one is left behind,” Tah’s press statement said.
