The African Development Bank (AfDB) is poised for a pivotal leadership transition as the race to replace outgoing President Akinwumi Adesina enters its final phase. With the election scheduled for May 29, 2025, at the bank’s headquarters in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, five seasoned candidates have emerged, each bringing a distinct blend of expertise, regional representation, and strategic vision.

Following a rigorous vetting process by the Board of Governors’ Steering Committee in February, the field has been narrowed to five individuals. These finalists reflect a spectrum of professional backgrounds in banking, economics, public policy, and international development, as they vie for the responsibility of leading Africa’s premier financial institution into its next era.

Adesina, a two-term president from Nigeria, will bow out after ten years at the helm, leaving behind a legacy of bold reforms and continental engagement. His successor will inherit a continent facing both longstanding challenges and emerging opportunities, with the AfDB playing a central role in financing infrastructure, climate resilience, and inclusive growth.

Meet the Candidates

1. Mr. Hott Amadou (Senegal)
A respected investment banker with a strong track record in both government and private finance, Amadou, 52, served as Senegal’s Minister of Economy, Planning, and International Cooperation from 2019 to 2022. Prior to that, he was a Vice President at the AfDB overseeing energy, green growth, and climate change initiatives.

Amadou began his international finance career in New York and has held positions in London, Dubai, and Lagos. He notably worked with Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote as a wealth manager and later advised Senegalese President Macky Sall. In addition, he founded Afribridge Capital, a financial advisory firm targeting sectors like energy, ICT, and banking.

He holds academic credentials in applied mathematics and economics and an MSc in Finance from Sorbonne University, also completing coursework at New York University in financial mathematics.

2. Ms. Swazi Tshabalala (South Africa)
The sole female contender in the race, 58-year-old Tshabalala boasts more than three decades of leadership experience across public and private financial institutions. Most recently, she served as AfDB’s Senior Vice President until October 2024, stepping down to pursue the presidency.

Since joining the bank in 2018, she has held positions as Chief Financial Officer and Vice President for Finance, eventually becoming the second-in-command in 2021. Her impressive corporate career includes board roles at MTN Group, Tiger Brands, and South African Airways.

She holds an MBA in Corporate Finance from Wake Forest University and a BA in Economics from Lawrence University, USA.

3. Dr. Samuel Munzele Maimbo (Zambia)
Zambia’s Dr. Maimbo, 52, brings to the table over 20 years of institutional experience at the World Bank, where he currently serves as Vice President for Budget, Performance Review, and Strategic Planning. In this role, he oversees the World Bank’s resource allocation, budget, and long-term planning.

As former Director for IDA Resource Mobilization and IBRD Corporate Finance, Maimbo was instrumental in securing a historic $93 billion IDA20 replenishment. Before his tenure at the World Bank, he worked as a bank inspector at the Bank of Zambia and an auditor at PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Maimbo holds a Ph.D. in Public Administration (Banking) from the University of Manchester, an MBA from the University of Nottingham, and a BSc in Accounting from Copperbelt University. He is also a UK-certified Fellow Chartered Certified Accountant (FCCA).

4. Dr. Sidi Tah Ould (Mauritania)
Currently Director General of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), 60-year-old Dr. Ould Tah has served in the role since 2015. His career began at the Mauritanian Bank for Development and Commerce and later expanded into international finance and government advisory roles.

He was a top official at the Islamic Development Bank between 1999 and 2006, and in 2008, he assumed the role of Mauritania’s Minister of Economy and Finance until 2015. His leadership at BADEA has been marked by increased cooperation with African governments and global financial institutions.

His tenure at BADEA concludes on July 1, 2025, with Abdullah AlMusaibeeh set to take over.

5. Mr. Abbas Mahamat Tolli (Chad)
Tolli, 53, served as Governor of the Bank of Central African States (BEAC) from 2017 to 2024, where he led transformative monetary and exchange rate reforms that reinforced financial stability across the region. Chad’s government officially nominated him for the AfDB presidency in December 2024.

Before BEAC, Tolli held cabinet positions as Chad’s Minister of Finance and Budget from 2005 to 2008, and Minister of Infrastructure from 2011 to 2012. He studied Economics and Business Administration at France’s National School of Administration (ENA), one of the most prestigious public administration institutions in the Francophone world.

What Lies Ahead

With the election just days away, AfDB’s Board of Governors—comprising representatives from its 81 member countries—will evaluate the candidates based on their leadership record, strategic vision, and capacity to navigate Africa’s development landscape.

The next president faces immense responsibility. Beyond managing the bank’s $208 billion capital base, they must drive policy coherence across diverse economies, ensure fiscal prudence, and channel funding into energy, agriculture, healthcare, and digital infrastructure.

Critical priorities also include:

• Strengthening resilience to climate change

• Expanding financial inclusion for underserved communities

• Stimulating job creation, particularly among youth

• Enhancing regional integration and intra-African trade

Background and Context

Founded in 1964, the African Development Bank has grown to become the leading pan-African multilateral lender, supporting poverty reduction and sustainable economic growth through loans, grants, and policy advisory services.

Under Adesina’s leadership since 2015, the AfDB has expanded its footprint, particularly through initiatives such as the High 5s strategy, focusing on electricity, food security, industrialization, regional integration, and improved quality of life. He also led the bank through the COVID-19 crisis, launching financial safety nets and fast-tracking emergency responses across member states.

However, challenges remain. Africa continues to grapple with a financing gap exceeding $100 billion annually for infrastructure alone. Moreover, geopolitical instability, debt burdens, climate shocks, and global economic shifts add layers of complexity to the AfDB’s mandate.

The Final Countdown

As May 29 draws near, attention is fixed on Abidjan. The five finalists—each with their strengths—present different paths forward for the AfDB. From seasoned insiders to technocratic reformers, from financial veterans to diplomatic consensus-builders, the new president will define the institution’s identity for the coming decade.

Whether the bank chooses continuity or opts for a fresh approach, the outcome will shape the development trajectory of over 50 African nations, impacting everything from road networks and energy grids to job markets and innovation ecosystems.

In the end, the next leader must inspire confidence, foster collaboration, and ensure that AfDB remains at the forefront of Africa’s transformation agenda.