Banjul receives waste trucks, solar street lights from Chinese city Nanning

The sister-city partnership between Banjul and Nanning has taken another practical step forward as the Chinese city donated three waste collection trucks and more than 200 solar street lights to Banjul City Council.

The supplies were officially handed over on May 13 during a ceremony attended by H.E. Ambassador Liu Jin of the People’s Republic of China and Lord Mayor Rohey Malick-Lowe of Banjul.

The donation, made by Nanning, Banjul’s sister city in China, is expected to strengthen waste management, improve street lighting, enhance public safety, and contribute to a cleaner and healthier urban environment for residents of the Gambian capital.

Ambassador Liu Jin said sister-city relations form an important part of the broader China-Gambia strategic partnership, noting that such municipal cooperation can play a positive role in improving people’s daily lives.

According to the Ambassador, the sanitation trucks and solar street lamps donated by Nanning will directly benefit the people of Banjul. He added that the donation comes at a significant moment, as China and The Gambia mark the 10th anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic relations, offering an opportunity to elevate sister-city ties and China-Gambia friendship to a new level.

Mayor Malick-Lowe expressed appreciation to Ambassador Liu Jin, the Government of China, the City of Nanning, and all those who contributed to making the donation possible.

She noted that a cleaner and brighter city environment would improve residents’ well-being in several important areas, including health, safety, employment, and wider livelihood opportunities.

“These were generously donated by our Sister City, Nanning,” Mayor Malick-Lowe said, describing the handover as “a big day for Banjul.”

The Mayor also reaffirmed Banjul City Council’s readiness to further deepen its sister-city relationship with Nanning, stressing the city’s commitment to building “a cleaner, greener, brighter, and safer Banjul for all.”

The relationship between Banjul and Nanning dates back to 1987, when both cities officially established sister-city relations. Over the years, the partnership has continued to serve as a bridge for cooperation in urban development, people-to-people friendship, and practical support for municipal service delivery.

For Banjul, the new waste collection trucks are expected to support ongoing sanitation efforts, while the solar street lights will help improve visibility and safety across communities. The intervention is also connected to the city’s broader commitment to empowering women and girls, particularly by making public spaces safer and more accessible.

Beyond the handover ceremony, the donation reflects the growing value of city-to-city diplomacy in addressing local development needs. While national relations remain important, partnerships between municipalities can deliver visible and immediate improvements in people’s everyday lives.

As Banjul continues its urban renewal efforts, the support from Nanning offers both material assistance and a renewed message of cooperation: that international friendship, when grounded in practical service, can help communities become cleaner, safer, and more hopeful.