Mauritanian candidate on track to become Africa's next 'super banker'

Niger's Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zein speaks during a panel session at the African Development Bank group annual meeting in Abidjan on May 27, 2025. (Photo by Issouf SANOGO / AFP)

Mauritania's former economy minister Sidi Ould Tah was on Thursday heading the race to become Africa's next "super banker", succeeding Nigeria's Akinwumi Adesina as head of the African Development Bank.

Five candidates began the contest in Ivory Coast's economic capital Abidjan but after two rounds of voting, Tah was out in front and close to securing overall victory, with 48.41 percent of the ballot.