By JP FABRI
Leadership transitions at key institutions offer both a moment of reflection and a call to action. The African Development Bank (AfDB), one of Africa’s most vital and symbolic institutions, is now entering such a moment.
With the election of Sidi Ould Tah as its ninth President, following the transformative two-term leadership of Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, Africa stands at a development crossroads; rich in potential, but still constrained by structural challenges and shifting global dynamics.
Dr. Akinwumi Adesina’s presidency will be remembered for its boldness, charisma and commitment to Africa’s self-sufficiency. His “High 5” agenda — Light up and Power Africa, Feed Africa, Industrialise Africa, Integrate Africa, and Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa — was not merely a set of goals, but a strategic compass that reinvigorated the AfDB’s purpose. Under his leadership, the bank increased its capital base to US$208billion, championed Africa-led climate solutions, led the response to COVID-19 through the creation of the US$10billion COVID-19 Response Facility, and expanded critical infrastructure investment. Adesina turned the AfDB into a louder, prouder voice for Africa on the global stage.
But as with all legacies, the truest tribute is not repetition, it is evolution. The election of Sidi Ould Tah signals both continuity and change. Having served as Director-General of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), Tah brings deep experience in development finance, institution building and cross-continental partnerships. He inherits a stronger bank than a decade ago, but also a more turbulent continent.
Africa today is confronting a volatile mix of fragility and opportunity. Food insecurity is rising. Debt vulnerabilities are mounting. Global trade is fragmenting under the weight of protectionism. At the same time, Africa’s youth population is booming, new technology is opening pathways for inclusion and the continent’s energy potential is unmatched. The AfDB must now lead Africa through this complexity, not as a by-stander to history, but as an active shaper of its destiny.
Tah’s presidency must focus on deepening delivery and transforming impact. The development agenda is no longer lacking in vision; what it demands is execution. This is particularly true in agriculture. Despite having 60 percent of the world’s uncultivated arable land, Africa remains a net food importer. This is not only an economic inefficiency; it is a strategic vulnerability. The AfDB must now invest in modernising Africa’s agricultural systems, using digital tools, smart irrigation and parametric insurance to build resilience. The goal must be to shift agriculture from subsistence to surplus, from feeding families to feeding markets.
Just as importantly, the new leadership must position the AfDB as the cornerstone of Africa’s industrialisation. Global supply chains are realigning, and the world’s manufacturing geography is shifting. Africa must not remain a passive exporter of raw materials.
Tah must push the bank to finance integrated industrial parks, promote value addition and invest in enabling infrastructure to make Africa a competitive manufacturing and trade hub. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents a unique opportunity; but it will only thrive with capital behind logistics, digitisation and regulatory harmonisation.
Tah must also prioritise what lies beneath any successful development agenda: institutions. Development is not just about capital; it is about capability. Weak governance, policy inconsistency and limited state capacity remain barriers to inclusive growth.
The AfDB should position itself as a partner in building strong, transparent and efficient public institutions. This includes everything from public financial management and procurement systems to tax administration and data governance. Tah’s era should be one of institutional deepening, where the bank supports governments not just with loans, but with know-how.
Another urgent priority is climate adaptation. Africa, contributing the least to global emissions, bears the brunt of their consequences. Dr. Adesina pushed hard for Africa’s voice to be heard on climate justice.
Tah must now turn that advocacy into finance and action. The bank should expand green bonds, support sovereign climate strategies and invest in water security, coastal resilience and off-grid renewables. The energy transition must be just, balancing the continent’s right to develop with the global imperative to decarbonise.
Equally, the AfDB must champion youth and human capital. Africa’s population is projected to double by 2050. Without large-scale investment in education, skilling, healthcare and job creation, this demographic shift could become a social time bomb.
Tah should push for the bank to scale its investments in education innovation, tech hubs, digital skilling and youth entrepreneurship. Education systems must be modernised, aligned with labour market demands and built for a digital-first future.
Furthermore, the AfDB must lean into innovation. Fintech, digital ID, blockchain and AI all have the potential to unlock new models of service delivery and inclusion. Tah must ensure that the bank is not just a passive observer but an active investor in Africa’s digital public infrastructure. Tech must be seen not as a sector, but as a tool that can enhance agriculture, healthcare, education and governance.
Finally, the AfDB must become more agile, catalytic and partnership-driven. Public finance alone cannot meet Africa’s US$100billion annual infrastructure gap. Tah should expand blended finance models, de-risking mechanisms and private sector instruments to mobilise capital at scale. The bank should deepen its work with sovereign wealth funds, institutional investors and impact financiers. It must be big enough to lead but nimble enough to listen.
The leadership transition at the African Development Bank is more than a symbolic change, it is a moment of recalibration. Dr. Adesina’s presidency set a bold vision. Now, Sidi Ould Tah must turn vision into velocity, scaling impact, deepening institutions and anchoring the AfDB as a vehicle of African self-determination.
His presidency must be defined not just by what the bank does, but by what Africa becomes. In a world increasingly fragmented, Africa’s development bank must be its most unifying force.
As we honour the legacy of Dr. Adesina and welcome the leadership of President-elect Sidi Ould Tah, the message is clear: Africa’s future cannot wait. The next chapter begins now.
>>>the writer is an applied economist and an Africa-focused entrepreneur. [email protected]
