Ousmane Kane of Mauritania, who has held a number of key positions at the African Development Bank (AfDB), is
being considered for the post.
He has the backing of a number of African and non-African countries, as well as the business world.
The African Development Bank (AfDB), based in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, will elect a new president in May 2025. As the candidacy period approaches in September 2024, several names are emerging as potential candidates.
Among the most prominent candidates is Ousmane Kane, a native of Mauritania, former AfDB vice-president in charge of institutional services and close associate of Mauritanian president Mohamed Ould El Ghazouani. Mr. Kane, who spent some 15 years at the AfDB, is known for his commitment to inclusive and sustainable development, as outlined in the AfDB’s 2003-2007 strategic plan, which he helped to draw up.
He has also supported the need to improve infrastructure, innovation and regional integration in recent statements.
According to a note dated 27 August 2024, Kane’s candidacy enjoys strong support from various African and non-African countries, civil society organisations and the business community. His leadership skills and economic acumen have been praised by influential figures in the financial sector and governments.
An alumnus of the Ecole Polytechnique and the Ecole Nationale Superieure des Mines, Kane has held several key positions at the AfDB, including Director of Human Resources and Director of Strategic Planning. Other notable candidates for the AfDB presidency include Romuald Wadagni of Benin, Abbas Mahamat Tolli of Chad and Amadou Hott of Senegal.
MN/Sf/ac/fss/as/APA