The African Development Bank Group is set to hold a swearing-in ceremony for its incoming President, Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, on September 1, 2025, at the Sofitel Abidjan Hôtel Ivoire in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The event, hosted by the Government of Côte d’Ivoire and the African Development Bank Group, will mark a significant leadership transition for the continent’s premier multilateral financial institution.
Dr. Tah, a 60-year-old national of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, was elected to the post on May 29, 2025, with 76.18% of the votes from Bank Group governors representing 81 member countries. He succeeds outgoing President Akinwumi Adesina, whose ten-year mandate concludes after a decade of reforms and major achievements for the continent’s development. As the ninth President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr. Tah will take the oath of office before the Bank’s governors, comprising Ministers of Finance and Central Bank Governors of member countries.
The ceremony is expected to be attended by heads of state and government, including the Presidents of Côte d’Ivoire and Mauritania, as well as representatives of international institutions, development partners, diplomats, private sector and civil society actors, and members of the Board of Directors and staff of the African Development Bank Group. The event will be chaired by Ludovic Ngatsé, Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Integration for the Republic of Congo and Chair of the Board of Governors of the African Development Bank Group.
A renowned economist with extensive experience in development finance management and international cooperation, Dr. Tah previously served as President of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) since 2015. 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. The ceremony will be broadcast live on the Bank’s official digital platforms, and journalists can obtain accreditation to cover the event in person by emailing the relevant contacts before August 28, 2025.
The swearing-in ceremony marks a major milestone in the governance of the African Development Bank Group, as the institution continues to play a vital role in promoting economic development and cooperation across the continent. With Dr. Tah at the helm, the Bank is poised to build on its achievements and address the evolving needs of its member countries. The event will be closely watched by stakeholders and observers, as the African Development Bank Group embarks on a new chapter in its history.
