The swearing-in ceremony of Dr. Sidi Ould Tah as the 9th President of the African Development Bank Group commenced on Monday morning at the Sofitel Abidjan Hôtel Ivoire in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

The event marked a significant leadership transition for the Bank, ushering in a new chapter under Dr. Tah’s stewardship.

According to AFDB on its X handle on Monday, in attendance were several high-level dignitaries, including the Chair of the AfDB Board of Governors and Congo’s Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Integration, Ludovic Ngatsé; President of Côte d’Ivoire, Alassane Ouattara; outgoing AfDB President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina; President of Mauritania, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani; along with representatives from international organizations, development partners, diplomats, members of the private sector and civil society, the Bank’s Board of Directors, and AfDB staff.

Tah, at exactly 12:05 GMT, took the oath of office before the Bank’s governors- Ministers of Finance and Central Bank Governors of member countries, thereby becoming the ninth President of the institution.

At 12:15 GMT, he mounted the podium to deliver his speech after a citation about him was read by the event’s master of ceremonies, Prof. Vincent Nmechielle.

The 60-year-old Tah is a renowned economist with extensive experience in development finance management and international cooperation.

Before his election as African Development Bank president, he was President of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, a position he has held since 2015. He also held several senior government positions in Mauritania, including Minister of Economy and Finance.

His election reflects the shareholders’ desire to further strengthen the Bank’s role as a catalyst for development finance, regional integration, and climate resilience in Africa.

Sidi Ould Tah is a national of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.

He was elected to the highly esteemed post on May 29, 2025, in Abidjan by Bank Group governors representing the 81 member countries (54 African and 27 non-regional) with 76.18% of the votes. He succeeds the outgoing Nigerian Akinwumi Adesina.

According to the Bank, Adesina’s ten-year mandate enacted a decade of reforms and major achievements for the continent’s development.