The President of the Afro-Arab Group, Ambassador Alhaji Salamu Amadu, has extended warm congratulations to Dr. Sidi Ould Tal as he officially assumed office as the new President of the African Development Bank (AfDB).

The inauguration ceremony was held at the Sofitel Hotel, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, on Monday, September 1, 2025.

In a congratulatory message, Ambassador Amadu expressed confidence in Dr. Tal’s leadership, describing him as a seasoned development expert whose election by AfDB member states earlier this year was a strong vote of confidence in his vision and proven track record.

“With Dr. Sidi Ould Tal as President, the African Development Bank will continue to grow and strengthen its role as the backbone of Africa’s economic transformation,” Ambassador Amadu said.

“His remarkable track record, particularly his leadership at the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), speaks volumes of his dedication and competence in driving sustainable development across the continent,” he added.

Ambassador Amadu noted that Dr. Tal’s formal swearing-in marks a significant moment in Africa’s financial history, as the AfDB prepares to address pressing challenges such as infrastructure development, youth unemployment, and sustainable growth.

Ambassador Alhaji Salamu Amadu, a respected business leader and philanthropist, reiterated his belief that under Dr. Tal’s presidency, the AfDB will continue to drive innovation, support entrepreneurship, and strengthen programs that empower African youth, priorities that align with the Afro-Arab Group’s vision for inclusive development.

Dr. Sidi Ould Tal, who previously served as President of BADEA (the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa), brings decades of expertise in international finance, development policy, and institution building.

His inauguration has been widely welcomed across the continent, with stakeholders viewing his leadership as a new chapter in Africa’s quest for economic transformation and global competitiveness.