AfDB President Sidi Ould Tah Reaffirms Strong Ties with Côte d’Ivoire Leadership

The newly elected president of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), Sidi Ould Tah, paid a courtesy visit on Wednesday to Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan. The meeting symbolized both personal gratitude and institutional continuity, reinforcing Côte d’Ivoire’s central role in hosting and supporting Africa’s premier development finance institution.

Gratitude and Partnership

Ould Tah, who was elected in May as the ninth president of the AfDB, expressed appreciation for President Ouattara’s decisive support during the election process. “It was an honour for me to pay a courtesy visit to His Excellency President Alassane Ouattara to thank him for his support during the election for the Bank's leadership and for the warm welcome I received upon my arrival in Côte d'Ivoire to take up my duties,” he told reporters.

Accompanied by Côte d'Ivoire's Minister of Economy, Planning and Development, Nialé Kaba, the AfDB president also emphasized that the Ivorian leader had reiterated his country’s “unwavering support for the Bank’s mission,” including backing for the construction of the AfDB’s new headquarters in Abidjan.

Expanding Portfolio in Côte d’Ivoire

The African Development Bank Group’s engagement in Côte d’Ivoire has grown significantly in recent years. According to AfDB data, its portfolio in the country expanded from $460 million in 2015 to $3.1 billion in 2023, financing projects across multiple sectors such as:

• Transport: Road and port infrastructure to boost regional trade and connectivity.

• Energy: Investments in electrification and renewable energy development.

• Agriculture: Modernization of agricultural infrastructure to improve food security.

• Health and social services: Programs targeting improved public health delivery and inclusive social development.

These projects not only bolster Côte d’Ivoire’s economic resilience but also contribute to broader regional integration in West Africa, particularly through cross-border infrastructure and trade facilitation initiatives.

Mobilizing African Resources for Development

In response to a journalist’s question on the use of pension funds to co-finance development, Ould Tah reiterated the importance of leveraging domestic financial resources. He noted that in the current global context of constrained capital flows, “it is necessary to mobilize all the financial resources within the continent to address the challenges.”

This approach aligns with AfDB’s strategy of encouraging African institutions, including pension funds and sovereign wealth funds, to play a greater role in financing the continent’s infrastructure and development needs.

Consolidating Relations with Côte d’Ivoire

The courtesy visit highlights the long-standing partnership between Côte d’Ivoire and the African Development Bank. Côte d’Ivoire is not only a founding member but also the host nation of the AfDB, which has operated from Abidjan since its establishment in 1965 (except for a temporary relocation to Tunis during the Ivorian civil conflict).

During his inauguration earlier this month, Ould Tah paid tribute to President Ouattara, thanking him for his “crucial role and valuable support” during the AfDB presidential election.

Looking Ahead

The visit underlines the AfDB’s commitment to deepening cooperation with Côte d’Ivoire as the institution enters a new phase under Ould Tah’s leadership. With Africa facing pressing challenges ranging from climate change to economic diversification, the Bank is expected to strengthen its role as a catalyst for inclusive and sustainable growth.

For Côte d’Ivoire, continued partnership with the AfDB not only supports national development plans but also enhances the country’s position as a hub for regional finance and infrastructure.