Who Next Leads AfDB? Over 6,000 Delegates to Elect New President from May 26–30 in Abidjan

The African Development Bank (AfDB) enters a defining week as over 6,000 delegates converge in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, for its 2025 Annual Meetings, and to decide who will steer Africa‘s premier development institution into the future.

Set to take place from May 26 to 30 at the Sofitel Abidjan Hotel Ivoire, the gathering will see finance ministers, central bank governors, heads of state, private sector leaders, and development partners from across the continent come together to elect a new president. The leadership transition follows the end of Dr. Akinwumi Adesina’s second and final term, which began in 2015 and ushered in a decade of reforms, renewed focus on infrastructure, and private sector empowerment.

A Pivotal Choice at a Pivotal Time

This election isn’t just a formality, it’s a turning point. The next president of AfDB will inherit the task of making Africa’s capital work harder and smarter to drive inclusive, green, and resilient development. This year’s theme, “Making Africa’s Capital Work Better for Africa’s Development,” reflects the urgency of mobilizing domestic resources, reforming institutions, and leveraging Africa’s immense potential.

The role of the next president will be central in reshaping strategies that focus on economic resilience, digital transformation, and institutional reform, goals that align with both the African Union‘s Agenda 2063 and the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Beyond Elections: A Week of Strategy and Dialogue

While the election takes center stage, the Annual Meetings will also provide space for key conversations on Africa’s development trajectory. The 60th Meeting of the Board of Governors of the African Development Bank and the 51st of the African Development Fund will review the Bank’s financial standing, policy directions, and future operations.

Panel discussions, side events, and technical sessions will explore ways to unlock Africa’s capital through better governance, stronger financial markets, and public-private collaboration.

Continuing the ‘High 5s’ Vision

The AfDB’s strategic priorities, Light Up and Power Africa, Feed Africa, Industrialize Africa, Integrate Africa, and Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa, remain central. The incoming president will be expected to build on these foundations while introducing innovative approaches to long-standing challenges like energy access, food security, and job creation.

What’s at Stake?

This is more than a leadership change; it’s a moment of recalibration. With global financing tightening and economic shocks becoming more frequent, Africa’s ability to chart its own course through effective leadership at institutions like the AfDB is more crucial than ever.

The big question remains: Who will next lead the AfDB; and how will their vision shape Africa’s development in the coming decade? All eyes now turn to Abidjan.

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