By 
Samuel Maimbo, Zambia’s candidate for the presidency of the African Development Bank (AfDB), on Thursday lost the race for the institution’s top job, finishing second to Mauritania’s Sidi Ould Tah.
Tah will officially assume office on September 1, 2025, for a five-year term, succeeding outgoing president Akinwumi Adesina.
Adesina leaves behind a legacy marked by major infrastructure investments, climate-focused financing, and navigating complex political landscapes across Africa.
The decisive vote was conducted by the AfDB’s Board of Governors — the institution’s highest decision-making body comprising finance and economy ministers, as well as central bank governors from the Bank’s 81 regional and non-regional member countries.
Tah secured 76.18 percent of the vote, while Maimbo garnered 20.26 percent. Senegal’s Amadou Hott came in third with 3.55 percent.
Zambia mounted a strong diplomatic campaign for Maimbo, backed by endorsements from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).
However, Tah’s candidacy enjoyed wide support, particularly from Arab states and the Islamic Development Bank.
Read more: Maimbo, others to know fate this week, as AfDB elects new president in Côte d’Ivoire, Abidjan
Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane led Zambia’s campaign, travelling extensively and engaging international counterparts to rally support for Maimbo.
“My engagements focused on building consensus around a candidate who not only understands the Bank’s mission but also possesses the leadership needed to navigate current development challenges and drive transformational change across the continent,” Musokotwane said.
Although the presidency eluded Zambia, the country secured a key leadership role on the AfDB Board of Directors.
Shebo Nalishebo, a seasoned statistician with more than 24 years of experience in public finance, economic policy, and statistics, was elected Executive Director representing Botswana, Malawi, Mauritius, and Zambia.
Nalishebo had previously served as Alternate Executive Director at the AfDB on a non-resident basis since 2022, and as a board member of the Bank of Zambia since 2021.
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