Sema Fonkem 25/05/2025

To become leader of Africa’s top financial institution is not just about one’s understanding of the banking sector but also being a visionary with plans to develop the continent of Africa.

The race to replace African Development Bank (AFDB) Group’s Dr. Akinwumi Adesina who has been president since 2015 becomes more exciting as all candidates pledge to speed up development in Africa.

THE CANDIDATES

Amadou Hott is the former Special Envoy of the President of the African Development Bank for the Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa. Originally from Senegal, he is an economist and investment banker, and served as Minister of Economy, Planning and International Cooperation of Senegal in the Fourth Sall government from April 2019 to September 2022. He was also former Vice president of AFDB. His 20 years career includes structured finance, sovereign fund management, investment banking, fundraising, infrastructure and the development of integrated energy solutions.

Dr Sidi Ould Tah is the Director General of Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA). He began his career as expert at the Mauritanian Bank for Development and Commerce (BMDC) from 1984 to 1986 and financial analyst at the Food Security Commission (1986). He was an Administrator and Finance Manager of the Municipality of “Nouakchott” (1987). From 1988-1996, he was also assigned the position of Advisor to the Director General and Director of Internal Auditing Department in “Nouakchott” Port Authority. He served as Financial Analyst at the Khartoum-based Arab Authority for Agriculture, Investment and Development (AAAID) (1996-1999). From 1999-2006, Dr. Ould Tah worked as Investment Promotion Officer and Technical Assistant to the President of the Islamic Development Bank. Dr. Ould Tah was assigned the position of advisor to both the President and the Prime Minister of Mauritania respectively from 2006 to 2008. In July 2008, he was nominated Minister of Economy and Finance. From 2008, he held the position  of Minister of Economic Affairs and Development before his appointment with BADEA.

Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala from South Africa joined AFDB in 2018 as Vice President for Finance and Chief Finance Officer and was appointed as Senior Vice President in November 2021. She resigned as Vice President after the government of South Africa approved her candidacy for AFDB president. She also has experience in both the public and private sector.

Dr. Samuel Maimbo has been serving as Vice President of Agribusiness (for Budget, Performance Review, and Strategic Planning) at the World Bank since 2023 with a strong vision for Africa’s agricultural improvement. Originally from Zambia, Dr. Maimbo has approximately 30 years of experience in development, financial markets, resource mobilization and strategic planning. Before his appointment as Vice President of Agribusiness, he was Chief of Staff to World Bank Presidents. He also served as the Director of the International Development Association (IDA) Resource Mobilization and International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) Corporate Finance department. He also served worked as Senior Advisor in the Office of the Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer at the World Bank. More info can be found on his website https://www.sammaimbo.com/

Abbas Mahamat Tolli from Chad represents the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC) and Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) regions. He is the  former governor of the Banque des Etats de l’Afrique Centrale (BEAC) and was the first to declare his candidacy, in February 2024. He also served as Director-General of the Customs Department from 2000 to 2003, Director, Office of the President from 2003 to 2005, Secretary of State for Finance in 2005, Minister of Finance and Budget of Chad, 2005 to 2008, Secretary-General, BEAC, 2008 to 2010, Minister of Infrastructure from 2011 to 2012 and Secretary-General, Central African Banking Commission  (COBAC) in 2012.

Established in 1964 and headquartered in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, AFDB takes priority in fighting poverty and improve the living standards of Africans. It provides loans to governments and private sector investing in member states. Out of 20 fastest-growing economies globally, 11 came from Africa and this indicates that AFDB is doing a marvelous job in eradicating poverty in the continent amidst the rise of inflation.