By Moses Desire Kouyo
Sidi Ould Tah’s election as the ninth president of the African Development Bank Group comes at a crossroads for both the institution and the continent it was created to serve. On paper, his credentials are impeccable: a seasoned financier with over 35 years of experience, a transformative decade at the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), and a history of steering complex financial reforms. But beyond the applause and ceremonial handshakes lies a fundamental question: Will Tah’s leadership herald a new era for Africa’s development, or will it reinforce the same structures that have too often left the continent on the margins of its own progress?
Since its establishment in 1964, the AfDB has been both a beacon of African self-reliance and a reminder of the continent’s entanglement with external powers. The Bank’s structure—split between regional and non-regional members, embodies this tension. While its 54 African member countries hold the promise of African-led development, its 27 non-regional members, with their deep pockets and global clout, often wield influence that can overshadow regional priorities. The very election process—requiring a candidate to secure 50.01% of both regional and non-regional votes—speaks to this delicate, and sometimes precarious, balancing act.
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Tah’s track record at BADEA, where he quadrupled the balance sheet and secured a AAA rating, suggests a leader attuned to the demands of global finance. But the critical question remains: Whose interests will he prioritize? Will he steer the AfDB toward a bolder, more independent Pan-African agenda, or will he adopt the cautious pragmatism that placates both donors and credit agencies but too often leaves African communities behind?
The stakes could not be higher. Africa is home to the world’s youngest population, the fastest-growing urban centers, and some of the planet’s richest untapped resources. Yet it also grapples with the harsh realities of climate change, debt burdens, and entrenched inequalities. The AfDB’s own High 5’s—Light up and power Africa, Feed Africa, Industrialize Africa, Integrate Africa, and Improve the quality of life for Africans—sound visionary on paper. But they risk becoming hollow slogans if they do not translate into tangible, inclusive progress on the ground.
This is where Tah’s leadership will be tested. Can he navigate the geopolitical complexities of a multipolar world while ensuring that African voices, not just African resources, shape the Bank’s priorities? Will he champion financing models that empower local entrepreneurs and communities instead of perpetuating dependency on foreign investors? And will he push for a development model that treats Africa not as a passive recipient of aid, but as an engine of innovation and growth in its own right?
Africa’s history is littered with the bones of well-intentioned development plans that failed to center the people they were meant to serve. Tah’s tenure at the AfDB must break that cycle. He must not only manage the Bank’s finances but also decolonize its governance, ensuring that decisions reflect Africa’s aspirations rather than external agendas.
As the continent looks toward Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals, the AfDB’s role is more critical than ever. It is time for an institution that is not just for Africa but truly of Africa—an institution where every policy, every loan, every strategy is guided by the principle of African agency and ownership.
Sidi Ould Tah has a historic opportunity to prove that the African Development Bank is more than just a bank, that it is a catalyst for African dignity, prosperity, and unity. The choice is his. And the world is watching.