African Development Bank Unveils Presidential Candidates Ahead of 2025 Election

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has officially announced five candidates for its highly anticipated presidential election, set to take place on May 29, 2025. Competing for the prestigious role are:

• Amadou Hott (Senegal)
• Samuel Munzele Maimbo (Zambia)
• Sidi Ould Tah (Mauritania)
• Abbas Mahamat Tolli (Chad)
• Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala (South Africa)

This election will determine the successor to Akinwumi Adesina, whose tenure concludes in May 2025 after serving as the Bank’s president since 2015. The AfDB president is elected by the Board of Governors for a renewable five-year term.

To win, a candidate must secure at least 50.01 percent of the total votes from both regional and non-regional member countries. Key regional blocs such as ECOWAS, SADC, and COMESA are expected to play crucial roles in shaping the election outcome.

The Role of the AfDB President

The President of the AfDB holds a pivotal position, serving as the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, and the Bank’s legal representative. According to Article 37 of the Agreement Establishing the Bank, the president oversees its day-to-day operations under the direction of the Board of Directors.

Article 36 further stipulates that the Board of Governors elects the president for a five-year term, renewable once.

In line with the Rules of Procedure Governing the Election of the President, the election is conducted during the Annual Meeting closest to the end of the outgoing president’s term. This year’s election will take place during the AfDB Annual Meeting in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), scheduled from May 26 to 30, 2025.

What’s Next?

As the election approaches, the key question remains: Who will emerge victorious? More importantly, what pressing challenges will the new president face in the latter half of 2025?

With Africa navigating complex economic, financial, and developmental hurdles, the next AfDB leader will need to act swiftly to drive sustainable growth, strengthen financial resilience, and accelerate infrastructure investments across the continent. What should be their top priority after taking office?