AfDB President calls for reform of Africa’s financial architecture in inaugural address

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye

The President of the African Development Bank Group has called for urgent reforms to Africa’s financial architecture, emphasizing the need to mobilise greater domestic resources to drive the continent’s transformation.

Dr Sidi Ould Tah, President of the African Development Bank Group, made the remarks in Brazzaville during his inaugural address at the institution’s Annual Meetings, the first since he assumed office in September 2025.

Describing his role as both an “immense honour and immense responsibility,” Dr Ould Tah said his leadership comes at a pivotal moment in Africa’s development trajectory. He addressed an audience comprising African heads of state and government, ministers, private sector leaders, and representatives of financial and development institutions, as well as governors of the Bank Group.

He stressed that strengthening Africa’s financial systems requires coordinated reforms aimed at improving domestic resource mobilisation and reinforcing strategic partnerships to support long-term economic transformation across the continent.

According to him, the evolving global and regional financial landscape demands renewed commitment to building resilient institutions capable of financing Africa’s development priorities more effectively.