Nairobi, Kenya: The Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) is entering a new era following the appointment of Abdullah Almusaibeeh as its new president. The announcement was made by the BADEA Board of Governors, marking a significant leadership shift as the institution prepares for the exit of its current president, Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, who has served for a decade and is set to officially step down on June 30, 2025.
This transition comes at a time when BADEA is at the peak of its growth, having transformed into one of the most important financial engines for development across the African continent. Under Dr. Tah’s leadership, the bank has seen its capital and operational scope triple. It disbursed over USD 11 billion during his tenure, pushing the bank’s total investment in Africa to more than USD 15 billion since its establishment in 1975.
Dr. Tah’s decade-long service was defined by key financial and structural milestones. He successfully led the institution through several regional and global crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing war in Sudan. Perhaps the most telling indicator of the confidence in his leadership came in 2022 when BADEA shareholders approved a staggering 376% capital increase. The bank has also achieved high international credit ratings and dramatically reduced its rate of non-performing loans from 10% to just 0.5%.
BADEA’s influence under Dr. Tah was not only visible in financial statements but also in its impact on the ground. The bank directed USD 2.3 billion into more than 800 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Africa. This led to the creation of over 50,000 jobs, directly supporting local economies and reducing poverty in several regions. In countries like Kenya, Rwanda, Senegal, and Ivory Coast, BADEA funded a wide range of projects, including agriculture, clean energy, and transport.
One of its most notable achievements was financing solar energy projects with a combined capacity of 400 megawatts. This provided reliable electricity to over 200,000 homes and small businesses, bridging the energy gap that continues to affect many African nations. In East Africa, the bank invested in major road infrastructure, channeling over USD 1.2 billion into highway and bridge development. These investments significantly cut transport costs and allowed farmers and producers to access broader markets.
Dr. Tah also focused on developing sustainable cities and industrial corridors. His vision pushed African-owned firms to take part in BADEA-financed projects, increasing the presence of local players in the continent’s development agenda. His leadership not only changed the scale of BADEA’s investments but also influenced the strategy—shifting from traditional aid to more transformative, impact-driven projects.
Now, the leadership mantle passes to Abdullah Almusaibeeh, a seasoned development finance professional with over three decades of experience. Almusaibeeh holds a mathematics degree from Kuwait University and has worked with the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development since 1993. His work there included managing complex portfolios in Asia, Europe, and the Arab world. He also brings a wealth of institutional memory, having served on BADEA’s own board and contributed to other major development platforms such as the Syria Recovery Trust Fund and the Al-Aqsa and Al-Quds Funds.
His appointment is seen as a continuation of the strong leadership BADEA has enjoyed. Almusaibeeh is expected to maintain the strategic focus on large-scale infrastructure development, support for SMEs, and increased financial access for underserved populations in Africa. Observers expect that his global experience and deep understanding of multilateral funding mechanisms will be key in steering the bank during this next phase.
As Africa grapples with mounting debt, climate challenges, and a growing youth population in need of jobs, institutions like BADEA have become even more critical. The bank has shown that with the right leadership and commitment, it can be more than just a lender—it can be a force for long-term social and economic transformation.
With Almusaibeeh stepping in and Dr. Tah potentially eyeing the presidency of the African Development Bank (AfDB), the continent stands at a turning point. Will BADEA continue to lead with bold investments? Will it expand its footprint into new sectors and countries? Will it maintain transparency and accountability as it grows?
These are the questions that will define its next chapter. What remains clear is that the future of African development finance will be closely tied to how institutions like BADEA evolve under new leadership.
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