A woman and four men: What are the visions, goals of the contenders for the AfDB presidency?

With elections scheduled for May 29, five candidates – Amadou Hott of Senegal, Samuel Munzele Maimbo of Zambia, Sidi Ould Tah of Mauritania, Abbas Mahamat Tolli of Chad, and Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala of South Africa – are in the race for the presidency of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group. ALSO READ: What to expect at the 2025 AfDB annual meetings in Abidjan The successful candidate succeeding Akinwumi Adesina, who is completing his second and final term in office, will serve a renewable five-year term. The vote will take place during AfDB’s 2025 Annual Meetings, scheduled for May 26–30 in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. It is hard to tell, at this stage, who will best convince AfDB member states of their vision for the bank’s future and therefore succeed Adesina who has been, since 2015, at the helm of one of Africa’s most influential financial institutions. Here, we briefly take a look at the profiles, ideas, and aims of each of the candidates who are drawn from different regions of the continent. Amadou Hott (Senegal) Senegal’s Amadou Hott, 52, is the west African country’s former Minister of Economy, Planning, and Cooperation, a former AfDB Vice President, and a corporate executive. His campaign focuses on accelerating Africa’s self-reliance and sustainable growth. On his X account, he emphasised the need for a more agile and impactful AfDB by streamlining processes and attracting top talent. As Senegal’s candidate for the African Development Bank (AfDB) presidency, I’m dedicated to leading Africa towards greater self-reliance and sustainable growth. Our future depends on mobilizing private sector investments, capital markets, and domestic resources to bridge the... — Amadou Hott (@AmadouHott) April 2, 2025 Hott advocates for mobilising private investment, developing capital markets, and using domestic resources to close Africa’s financing gap, especially in sectors like energy, infrastructure, and digital transformation. “I’m dedicated to leading Africa towards greater self-reliance and sustainable growth. Our future depends on mobilizing private sector investments, capital markets, and domestic resources to bridge the financing gap,” he said. “I believe the AfDB must become more agile, innovative, and impactful, driving development in key sectors like energy, infrastructure, and digital transformation. By streamlining processes and attracting top talent, we can unlock Africa's full potential and ensure a prosperous, self-sustaining future.” Samuel Munzele Maimbo (Zambia) Zambia’s Maimbo, 52, is a former World Bank Vice President with a three-decade career at the World Bank, including roles as Chief of Staff and Director of Resource Mobilization. He led the $93 billion IDA20 replenishment during Covid-19 pandemic, directing more than 70 per cent of commitments to Africa. Maimbo’s vision, shared on his X account, is shaped by his upbringing on a farm in Lusaka. He sees agriculture as both a personal and strategic priority. ALSO READ: AfDB: Transforming Rwanda's agriculture landscape In a video, he outlined “practical steps to transform African agriculture – not through theoretical frameworks, but through targeted investments that deliver real results for our farmers and communities.” I'm deeply grateful for your continued support on this journey as a candidate for the presidency of the African Development Bank. Today, I'm particularly proud to share this aspect of my vision for Africa's future – one that's close to my heart. Growing up on a farm outside... pic.twitter.com/dyT0xZdeUT — Samuel Munzele Maimbo (@SamMMaimbo) April 12, 2025 He said: “Growing up on a farm outside Lusaka, I witnessed firsthand both the challenges our farmers face and the dignity of agricultural work. This isn't abstract policy for me – it's personal. Africa holds 60% of the world's uncultivated arable land, yet we import $45 billion in food annually. This contradiction represents our greatest opportunity.” Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala (South Africa) Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala, 59, is from South Africa and she currently serves as AfDB’s Vice President for Finance and Chief Finance Officer. She has over 30 years of experience in infrastructure finance, development banking, and hybrid capital structuring. As the only woman in the race, Tshabalala has emphasised the importance of inclusive economic transformation. Deeply honoured to have the endorsement of H.E President Cyril Ramaphosa for my candidacy as AfDB President. His support reflects South Africa’s commitment to strong leadership that drives inclusive growth and development. #BST #BSTforAfrica pic.twitter.com/W0SrVU74OI — Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala (@BSTForAfrica) April 1, 2025 Her vision includes expanding access to finance, championing green growth, and supporting digital innovation. Tshabalala joined the AfDB in 2018 and was appointed Senior Vice President in 2021, a position she held until her resignation in 2024 to pursue the presidency. She holds a BA in Economics from Lawrence University and an MBA from Wake Forest University. In February, she outlined her vision for the AfDB, emphasizing the need for financial robustness, strategic partnerships, and transformative growth. “Africa stands at a pivotal moment, and the AfDB must rise to meet the continent’s ambitions with bold, strategic action. My vision is to build a financially strong, results-driven AfDB that prioritizes infrastructure, expands innovative financing solutions, and strengthens partnerships to unlock Africa’s full economic potential. This is not just about investment, it’s about delivering real, lasting impact for African nations and their people,” she stated Sidi Ould Tah (Mauritania) Ould Tah, 61, of Mauritania, is the president of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), a development bank owned by the Arab League to provide development financing to African countries. He brings over three decades of experience in economics, finance, and international development. Tah held the position of advisor to both the President and the Prime Minister (2006-2008). In July 2008, he was nominated Minister of Economy and Finance. From 2008, he held the position of Minister of Economic Affairs and Development until his appointment as Director General of BADEA. Since 2015, he has led BADEA, championing cross-border projects. Tah has also advised Mauritania’s top leadership and represented his country at global financial institutions, including AfDB and World Bank. 1. UNLOCK AFRICA’S CAPITAL POWER “Every dollar must work like ten.” 2. REBUILD AFRICA’S FINANCIAL SOVEREIGNTY “Africa must speak with one financial voice on the global stage.” 3. TURN DEMOGRAPHICS INTO A DIVIDEND “Youth and women are not a challenge—they are the engine; an... — Sidi Ould Tah (@sidiouldtah) April 16, 2025 In his campaign, he has proposed a deep internal reform of the AfDB – decentralised, digitally transformed, and results-oriented. According to him, by aligning institutional culture with the continent’s goals, the Bank becomes more than a financier: it becomes a catalyst for transformation. His vision for AfDB includes mobilizing $400 billion annually through blended finance, green bonds, and AAA-backed risk guarantees to support African governments. “Youth and women are not a burden, they are the engine of development,” he said, calling for Africa to optimize every resource for long-term prosperity. Abbas Mahamat Tolli (Chad) Chad’s Abbas Mahamat Tolli, 53, is a seasoned economist and former Governor of the Bank of Central African States (BEAC), where he led key reforms to boost financial stability. He also served as Chad’s Minister of Finance and Chief of Staff to the Head of State, building a strong track record in fiscal governance. Tolli’s five-pillar development model aligns with African Union’s Agenda 2063 and AfDB’s goals, focusing on food sovereignty, infrastructure, governance, ecological sustainability, and domestic capital markets, he noted in a post on X. L’Afrique est un continent d’espérance, de talents et d’opportunités Un continent capable de se réinventer à condition de lui en donner les moyens. C’est cette conviction qui guide ma candidature à la présidence de la Banque africaine de développement : porter une vision... pic.twitter.com/PyCzkKOBgx — Abbas Mahamat Tolli (@AbbasMTolli) April 15, 2025 He champions reducing Africa’s reliance on external financing and sees challenges like energy poverty and limited intra-African trade as opportunities. According to him, Africa can reinvent itself—thanks to its resilience, its youth, and its natural wealth. “Mobilizing the private sector must be a top priority if we are to fulfill our vision of a prosperous Africa for tomorrow,” he posted on X. “The continent's future hinges on our ability to address the significant infrastructure gap, which is estimated to require approximately $150 billion annually. Central to this endeavour is the crucial role of the African Development Bank (AfDB), serving not only as a donor but also as a catalyst for private financing.” To effectively mobilize private investment and tackle these challenges, he proposes a three-pronged approach that involves attracting investors through de-risking mechanisms, creating regional platforms for project structuring, and positioning Africa at the forefront of digital technologies.

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A woman and four men: What are the visions, goals of the contenders for the AfDB presidency?