Mauritania's Sidi Ould Tah bids for AfDB presidency

Mauritania's Sidi Ould Tah is on a mission to bring about positive change and transformation in Africa through his candidacy for the presidency of the African Development Bank (AfDB). In an exclusive interview with CNBC Africa, Dr. Tah shared his vision for the continent, emphasizing the crucial role of the youth, private sector, and structural reforms in driving growth and prosperity. Dr. Tah's message of hope and ambition for Africa resonates strongly with the need for a new vision and leadership that can address the pressing issues facing the continent. Dr. Tah's candidacy has been met with enthusiasm and support as he articulates a strategic approach to leveraging Africa's potential for sustainable development. With a focus on empowering the youth, Dr. Tah highlights the importance of prioritizing education and vocational training to equip the younger generation with the skills needed for employment and entrepreneurship. He also underscores the opportunities presented by the digital economy, emphasizing the potential for African youth to participate in the global labor market through remote work and digital skills. Moreover, Dr. Tah emphasizes the crucial role of the private sector in driving economic growth and emphasizes the need for a conducive business environment to attract investment and promote cross-border trade. He calls for greater involvement of the private sector in infrastructure development and industrialization, recognizing the transformative impact it can have on Africa's economic landscape. In his vision for the AfDB, Dr. Tah advocates for the consolidation of financial institutions at the national, regional, and continental levels to strengthen the African financial architecture. By fostering collaboration and synergy among these institutions, Dr. Tah aims to optimize resources and avoid duplication, ultimately enhancing the effectiveness of financial interventions and development activities across the continent. As the global landscape faces challenges of geopolitical fragmentation and protectionism, Dr. Tah sees an opportunity for Africa to leverage its unity and cooperation to overcome these obstacles and drive prosperity. By working together and promoting synergies among financial institutions, Dr. Tah believes that Africa can turn challenges into opportunities for sustainable growth and development. In conclusion, Dr. Tah's candidacy represents a call for a new era of leadership and innovation at the AfDB. His wealth of experience in development finance, coupled with a holistic approach to addressing Africa's development challenges, positions him as a formidable candidate to lead the bank into a new dimension of impact and relevance. As shareholders consider their support, Dr. Tah's message of building on past successes while embracing a new vision for the future resonates as a compelling proposition for advancing the development agenda in Africa.