Five Candidates Compete for AfDB President Office

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has officially announced five candidates for the position of its next president, setting the stage for a leadership transition at one of Africa’s most influential financial institutions. The election is scheduled to take place on May 29.  

The candidates, drawn from different regions of the continent, were shortlisted following a two-day meeting of the bank’s board of governors at its headquarters in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The final list includes Hott Amadou from Senegal, Maimbo Munzele from Zambia, Tah Ould from Mauritania, Tolli Mahamat from Chad, and Tshabalala Swazi from South Africa.  

The election will determine the successor to Akinwumi Adesina, who has led the bank since 2015. Under his tenure, the AfDB has expanded its role in financing major infrastructure projects, supporting economic growth, and advancing Africa’s development agenda. His presidency saw initiatives such as the Desert to Power project and the African Investment Forum, which have mobilized billions in funding for African economies.  

Adesina has not disclosed any immediate plans post-AfDB but indicated his ongoing commitment to public service. Speaking in an interview on February 10, he stated that he remains open to serving in different capacities, whether globally, across Africa, or in Nigeria.  

“There’s nothing else that makes me happy than seeing lives transform. That is what gives me satisfaction,” he said, describing his career as one driven by a mission to uplift communities and improve livelihoods.  

As the election date approaches, the five candidates will seek to convince AfDB member states of their vision for the bank’s future. The institution plays a critical role in shaping Africa’s economic trajectory, providing funding and policy direction to drive sustainable development across the continent.