By Moses Desire Kouyo
Since its inception in 1964, the African Development Bank (AfDB) has been a crucial institution in Africa’s journey toward economic independence and regional integration. Yet, a look at its presidential history reveals more than just a list of names, it tells a story of geopolitics, regional dynamics, and the ongoing struggle for a truly African development model.
The AfDB’s first president, Mamoun Beheiry of Sudan (1964-1970), presided over a newborn institution grappling with the challenges of post-independence optimism and the turbulence of Cold War politics. Beheiry’s tenure symbolized a pan-African spirit at a time when newly-liberated states sought to define their destiny beyond the colonial yoke. Yet his successor, Abdelwahab Labidi of Tunisia (1970-1976), had to navigate a more divided continent, one that was increasingly drawn into the proxy battles of the superpowers.
The subsequent leadership saw Kwame Donkor Fordwor of Ghana (1976-1980), the first from Anglophone West Africa, and Willa Mung’Omba of Zambia (1980-1985), reflecting the Bank’s efforts to balance regional representation and language diversity. Babacar N’diaye of Senegal (1985-1995), one of the longest-serving presidents, oversaw an era of structural adjustment and economic liberalization—policies often driven by external financial institutions and at times criticized for prioritizing fiscal discipline over social development.
The 1990s brought Omar Kabbaj of Morocco (1995-2005), who navigated the bank through a period of financial instability and a push toward modernization. His leadership marked a turning point, aligning the Bank more closely with global financial norms and reinforcing its role as Africa’s preeminent development financier.
Donald Kaberuka of Rwanda (2005-2015) ushered in a decade of transformation: the AfDB’s lending tripled, and its focus expanded to include regional integration and infrastructure. Under Dr. Akinwumi Adesina of Nigeria (2015-2025), the Bank’s “High 5’s”—Light up and power Africa, Feed Africa, Industrialize Africa, Integrate Africa, and Improve the quality of life—became its flagship strategy, echoing the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
Yet beneath these achievements lies a persistent question: Has the Bank remained African enough? While each president brought a unique vision, the institution’s governance structure, where non-regional member countries hold significant voting power—has often influenced its direction. Even today, the requirement that presidential candidates secure majorities from both regional and non-regional votes speaks to the Bank’s dual identity as both an African institution and a multilateral development bank subject to global financial pressures.
With Sidi Ould Tah’s election as the ninth president, the AfDB stands at a pivotal juncture. Tah’s record at the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) demonstrates his financial acumen, but the real test lies ahead: Will he champion a development path that prioritizes African agency and ownership? Or will the Bank continue to be steered by external actors whose interests do not always align with Africa’s aspirations?
A closer look at the Bank’s presidential history shows that leadership at the AfDB is not just about technical competence—it’s about ideological clarity and the courage to assert Africa’s place in a world that often prefers to dictate its development.
As the AfDB prepares to mark its 61st year, we must remember that leadership matters. The president sets the tone not just for financial strategies but for the continent’s broader development discourse. In a century where Africa must define itself on its own terms, the AfDB’s presidency must reflect the dreams—and the determination—of its people.
The history is clear. Now it’s time to write the future.