The African Development Bank (AfDB) is set to elect a new president in May 2025 as Dr. Akinwumi Adesina’s tenure comes to an end. The election, scheduled for May 29, 2025, will be held during the Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors, marking the end of Adesina’s decade-long leadership at the bank.
Dr. Adesina, a Nigerian national, was first elected on May 28, 2015, and officially assumed office on September 1, 2015. He was re-elected for a second five-year term in 2020 and will conclude his service on September 1, 2025. His leadership has been characterized by major economic and infrastructure initiatives across Africa, particularly in financing sustainable development projects, food security, and industrial growth.
With the election process now officially underway, the Steering Committee of the Board of Governors has released a list of five candidates eligible to contest for the presidency. The candidates include prominent economists and financial experts from across the continent, each bringing unique experience and vision for the AfDB’s future.
The contenders are:
- Amadou Hott (Senegal) – Former Minister of Economy and former AfDB Special Advisor on Energy.
- Dr. Maimbo Samuel Munzele (Zambia) – Former Vice President for Budget, Performance Review, and Strategic Planning at the World Bank.
- Tah Sidi Ould (Mauritania) – Current President of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA).
- Tollis Abbas Mahamat (Chad) – Former Governor of the Bank of Central African States.
- Tshabalala Bajabulile Swazi (South Africa) – Former Senior Vice President at AfDB who resigned in 2023.
The election will determine the future direction of the AfDB, which plays a critical role in Africa’s economic development. Over the past decade, Adesina has spearheaded key projects such as the “High 5” priorities, focusing on improving energy access, industrialization, regional integration, agricultural transformation, and quality of life across African nations. His successor will inherit the task of continuing this agenda while addressing emerging economic challenges, including debt sustainability, climate financing, and digital transformation.
With the election set for May 2025 and the transition officially taking place in September, the coming months will see intense campaigns and lobbying as African nations rally behind their preferred candidates. The new president will be expected to maintain the AfDB’s financial strength and lead it into its next phase of development and impact on the continent.
