By Ese William

The newly elected President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Mr Sidi Ould Tah, has pledged to serve the continent with humility and a deep sense of duty.

Tah said this in his acceptance speech delivered before African finance ministers, governors of the bank, and dignitaries at the AfDB Annual Meetings in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire on Thursday.

He expressed profound gratitude to African nations for the confidence reposed in him.

“It is with great humility and a sense of responsibility that I speak to you at this special moment.

“I will like to thank Africa for the trust it has placed in me. I fully appreciate the responsibility and duty that come with it,” he said.

He paid special tribute to his home country, Mauritania, and President Mohamed El-Ghazaouani, whose strong support and diplomatic outreach were instrumental in securing his election.

“I thank my country and President El-Ghazaouani, who supported my candidacy and made tireless efforts to ensure the success we have just witnessed,” he said.

The new AfDB president also acknowledged the unwavering solidarity shown by Africans across the continent and extended heartfelt appreciation to his campaign team for their commitment throughout the election process.

“I will like to make a special mention of my team, who did a remarkable job from beginning to end. I express my deepest gratitude to them,” he said.

While he recognised the many individuals and groups who supported his candidacy, Tah emphasised that the time for celebration was over and called for immediate action.

“Now, let us go to work! I am ready,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tah succeeds Dr Akinwumi Adesina.

Adesina had served two successful terms and was widely praised for expanding the bank’s capital base and amplifying its development impact across the continent.

Experts say Tah’s tenure begins at a time when the continent was grappling with multiple economic challenges, including climate shocks, debt distress, and the urgent need for sustainable infrastructure financing.

As he steps into this pivotal role, expectations are high that Tah will continue to strengthen the AfDB’s role as a cornerstone institution for Africa’s development and integration. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman