Mauritania's Dr. Sidi Ould Tah Wins AfDB Presidency in Landslide Victory

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has a new president, Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, a Mauritanian candidate who emerged victorious after three rounds of voting.

Dr. Ould Tah secured an overwhelming 76.18% of the vote, beating four other contenders, including Zambia's Samuel Maimbo, who garnered 20.26%, and Senegal's Amadou Hott, who came in with 3.55%. Chad's Mahamat Abbas Tolli was eliminated first with 0.88%, followed by South Africa's Swazi Tshabalala with 5.9%.

Dr. Ould Tah's victory marks a significant milestone for Mauritania, elevating its presence within Africa's premier development finance institution. As the ninth president of the AfDB, Dr. Ould Tah takes over from Nigeria's Akinwumi Adesina, who led the bank for two consecutive terms and was widely recognized for expanding the AfDB's reach and influence across the continent.

The AfDB plays a crucial role in shaping Africa's development agenda, with billions of dollars in project financing under its portfolio. Dr. Ould Tah has pledged to strengthen the bank's mission of promoting sustainable development, financing critical infrastructure, and supporting economic transformation across the continent.

His leadership will be crucial in navigating major challenges, including climate change, energy transition, youth employment, and debt sustainability.

Source: Lead News Online