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– Tah to Launch Rapid Reform, Deepen Partnerships, and Listen Closely
– Focus on Youth Investment and Institutional Transformation
– Town Halls, Global Alliances, and Peace-Investment Models on Agenda
Sidi Ould Tah, the newly sworn-in President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), officially assumed office on September 1, 2025, succeeding Akinwumi Adesina. In his first 100 days, Tah is zeroing in on four main priorities: listening attentively, launching a fast-track reform agenda, deepening partnerships with diverse stakeholders, and accelerating implementation of real solutions across the continent. As part of the listening component, Tah plans to host a Town Hall with AfDB staff—whom he calls “the institution’s most valuable resource”—underscoring his commitment to internal dialogue and inclusive governance
The new president is also placing strong emphasis on expanding the Bank’s collaborative framework. He aims to enhance engagement not just with traditional institutions like Finance in Common, the Alliance of African Financial Institutions, and the Arab Coordination Group (ACG), but also to reach out to sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, and other non-traditional partners. Tah further signaled the Bank’s intention to revise investment models by introducing a dedicated pillar for peace-related investments—an innovative addition to Africa’s development finance toolkit.
