AfDB to Elect a New President as Adesina’s Term Ends in August 2025

(3 Minutes Read)

Eleven out of the 20 fastest-growing economies in the world last year came from Africa, according to the AfDB, and Adesina says this shows the bank is doing something right. However, there are still challenges that require real solutions.

The search for a new president of Africa’s top financial institution, the African Development Bank (AfDB) is gathering momentum. The current head, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, who is serving his second five-year term, will step down from the position on August 31, 2025.

Under his leadership, the AfDB has largely prioritised promoting economic and social development on the continent. It is a vision that Adesina told DW he has passionately pursued during his tenure and one he believes has helped stabilise many African economies over the past five years.

Eleven out of the 20 fastest-growing economies in the world last year came from Africa, according to the AfDB, and Adesina says this shows the bank is doing something right. However, there are still challenges that require real solutions.

The five candidates seeking to succeed Adesina include Senegal’s Amadou Hott, who served as the Minister of Economy, Planning, and Cooperation from 2019 to 2022; Dr. Samuel Munzele Maimbo from Zambia, who currently holds the position of Vice President for Budget, Performance Review, and Strategic Planning at the World Bank; and Mauritania’s Sidi Ould Tah, a former President of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa.

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The other two contenders are Chad’s  Abbas Mahamat Tolli, an economist and a former Governor of the Bank of Central African States, as well as the only female candidate, South African Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala. She is the former Senior Vice President of the African Development Bank. The five candidates have utilised various public engagements to highlight the key priority areas they would focus on if elected to the top job.