On May 29 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, the African Development Bank will pick its next president — and the timing couldn’t be more pivotal.
With traditional aid budgets under pressure and demand for development finance rising, this election isn’t just about choosing a boss. It’s also a high-stakes decision about the bank’s future direction, focus, and priorities.
Eighty-one member countries — including African nations and major shareholders such as the United States, France, and Saudi Arabia — will cast their votes. To win, a candidate must secure a “double majority”: over 50% of the total vote and over 50% from African countries.
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About the author
Ayenat Mersie
Ayenat Mersie is a Global Development Reporter for Devex. Previously, she worked as a freelance journalist for publications such as National Geographic and Foreign Policy and as an East Africa correspondent for Reuters.
