AfDB unveils presidential candidates ahead of May 29 election
The African Development Bank has officially commenced the process of electing its next president with the release of candidates set to contest in the upcoming election scheduled for May 29.
The announcement follows a two-day meeting of the Steering Committee of the Board of Governors at the bank’s headquarters in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, where a final list of contenders was approved.
According to a statement on its website on Friday, the candidates cleared to run for the top position include Mr Hott Amadou from Senegal, Dr Maimbo Munzele from Zambia, Mr Tah Ould from Mauritania, Mr Tolli Mahamat from Chad, and Ms Tshabalala Swazi from South Africa.
The statement read, “The Steering Committee of the Board of Governors on the Election of the President of the African Development Bank met on 11 and 12 February 2025 at the Bank Group’s headquarters in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
“The Steering Committee, after examining the candidatures, cleared the following list of candidates for the office of the President of the African Development Bank during the next election to be held on 29 May 2025: 1) Mr. HOTT Amadou, Senegal; 2) Dr. MAIMBO Samuel Munzele, Zambia; 3) Mr. TAH Sidi Ould, Mauritania; 4) Mr. TOLLI Abbas Mahamat, Chad; and 5) Ms. TSHABALALA Bajabulile Swazi, South Africa.”
Each of the candidates brings a distinct background and vision, setting the stage for a competitive election that will determine the leadership of Africa’s premier development finance institution.
The new president will succeed Dr Akinwumi Adesina, who has been at the helm since 2015, overseeing significant reforms and navigating the bank through challenging global economic conditions.
The outcome of the election is expected to have far-reaching implications for Africa’s economic growth, infrastructure development, and climate resilience efforts.
As part of its broader regional agenda, the African Development Bank has reiterated its commitment to fostering deeper integration across the continent, particularly through the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Speaking at a high-level ministerial roundtable in Casablanca, AfDB’s Director of Regional Integration, Dr Joy Kategekwa, stressed the need for stronger economic collaboration, stating that Africa’s transformation depends on its ability to integrate.
She noted that the AfCFTA has the potential to create a unified market and increase intra-African trade by 52 per cent by 2035, a development that could spur industrialisation and job creation.
The ministerial roundtable, organised by the African Leadership Organisation, brought together African ministers, private sector leaders, and financial partners to discuss policy alignment, infrastructure development, and trade enhancement under the AfCFTA framework.
