Ato Forson is Returning Officer for AfDB Presidential Elections won by Dr. Sidi Ould Tah

Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, was the Returning Officer for the presidential elections of the African Development Bank (AfDB) which was held yesterday Thursday May 29 and won by Dr. Sidi Ould Tah.

Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, a distinguished Mauritanian economist and development leader, beat four other candidates after three rounds of voting. He becomes the 9th president of the pan-African institution for the next five years.

In his role as Returning Officer, Dr. Forson was responsible for ensuring the integrity and smooth conduct of the voting process, as outlined in Article 5 of the Bank’s electoral rules.

His duties include verifying that the ballot box is empty before each round of voting, confirming the number of ballots cast matches the number of eligible voters, rejecting invalid ballots, and certifying that only valid votes are counted.

Dr. Forson’s appointment to this pivotal role reflects the confidence the AfDB Board of Governors places in his integrity, professionalism, and deep commitment to transparency and good governance in multilateral financial institutions.

“I am honoured to have been appointed as the Returning Officer for the presidential elections of the African Development Bank (AfDB)”, Ato Forson noted on his Facebook page.

Dr. Sidi Ould Tah  takes over from Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, the 8th elected President of the AfDB Group, who was first elected on May 28, 2015, by the Bank’s Board of Governors during its Annual Meetings in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

Five candidates from across the continent are vying for the presidency: Mr. Amadou Hott – Senegal, Dr. Samuel Munzele Maimbo – Zambia, Dr. Sidi Ould Tah – Mauritania, Mr. Abbas Mahamat Tolli – Chad and Ms. Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala – South Africa

Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahamoud Ali Youssouf,  has extended his warm congratulations to Dr. Sidi Ould Tah on his election as the ninth President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group.

He noted that Dr. Tah’s election is a testament to his exceptional leadership and steadfast commitment to advancing Africa’s development agenda.

Dr. Tah brings a wealth of experience to the role, notably through his tenure as Director General of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA).

His track record positions him well to lead the AfDB at a critical juncture in the continent’s journey towards economic transformation, resilience, and sustainable growth.

The Chairperson highlights the AfDB’s central role in delivering Agenda 2063 and in advancing regional integration, infrastructure development, and inclusive prosperity.

He welcomes the prospect of strengthened collaboration under Dr. Tah’s leadership, particularly on flagship initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA), and the Africa Vaccine Manufacturing Initiative.

Chairperson Youssouf reaffirms the African Union’s full support for the Bank and expresses confidence in Dr. Tah’s ability to respond effectively to the continent’s most pressing challenges — from debt sustainability and food security to climate resilience and digital innovation.

In closing, the Chairperson pays tribute to Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, the outgoing President, acknowledged his exemplary leadership and many achievements during his tenure. He wishes Dr. Adesina continued success in his future endeavours.