Banjul, Nanning Strengthen Historic Ties as Mayor Lowe Secures New Development Support

The long-standing partnership between the cities of Banjul and Nanning reached another milestone as Banjul Mayor Rohey Malick Lowe met with her counterpart, Mayor Hou Gang, in a ceremony marking renewed cooperation and the inauguration of key projects.

During the event, Mayor Lowe and Mayor Hou Gang revisited the origins of the relationship between the two cities, first established in 1987. The historic twinning, she recalled, was initiated during her father’s tenure as Mayor of Banjul, laying the foundation for what became the first official city partnership between The Gambia and the People’s Republic of China.

At the ceremony, the Nanning City authorities officially handed over three custom-designed waste management trucks to the Banjul City Council. The trucks, built to meet the specific needs of Banjul’s narrow streets and sharp intersections, mark a shift toward a research-driven, technologically responsive approach to waste management in the capital.

Mayor Lowe also received 230 modern solar streetlights, with 30 earmarked for installation in an underserved community identified through the partnership. Mayor Hou Gang expressed strong support for the initiative, referring to the beneficiary area as “Little Nanning” and highlighting its alignment with Mayor Lowe’s agenda as President of REFELA to support vulnerable communities.

The solar lighting project contributes to Mayor Lowe’s broader Safe City initiative, aimed at improving public safety, particularly for women and girls, and enhancing the city’s evening commercial environment.

The two cities further formalised their cooperation by signing a new agreement outlining wider areas of collaboration, expected to expand into additional projects in the coming months. Mayor Lowe noted that her Safe City development consultant, Latirr Carr, continues to work closely with Nanning authorities as part of ongoing efforts to advance her long-term vision for Banjul.

She also acknowledged the support of Gambian councillors accompanying her, as well as the continued role of Chinese Ambassador Liu Jin, whose facilitation she said has been central to sustaining the partnership.

Mayor Lowe reaffirmed Banjul’s commitment to strengthening ties with Nanning, expressing optimism that the renewed cooperation will help build a city that future generations will be proud of.

“Long live our peoples, and long live our continued friendship and partnership,” she added.