Banjul, Nanning deepen 38-year sister-city partnership with new development projects

Banjul, The Gambia — The historic sister-city bond between Banjul and Nanning entered a new chapter this week as Lord Mayor Rohey Malick Lowe met with her counterpart, Mayor Hou Gang, to reinforce a partnership that has shaped decades of cooperation between the two cities.

During an official ceremony in Nanning, Mayor Hou revisited the origins of the relationship, established in 1987 — just years after Lowe’s late father left office as mayor. Lowe noted that the recollection underscored the deep roots of a partnership that began under her father’s leadership and has continued to evolve across generations.

The event also marked the handover of three custom-designed waste management trucks to Banjul, built specifically to meet the city’s narrow roads, dense neighborhoods, and sharp intersections. Mayor Lowe described the trucks as an important step in modernizing Banjul’s sanitation system through research-driven solutions.

“Our efforts toward waste management are now taking a thorough R&D approach,” she said, adding that the compact, technologically responsive vehicles represented “a proud milestone” for the capital.

In addition, Nanning donated 230 modern solar street lights, 30 of which will be installed in an underserved neighborhood known locally as “Little Nanning.” The initiative aligns with Lowe’s broader Safe City agenda, aimed at improving nighttime security and expanding opportunities for small businesses through improved public lighting.

Mayor Hou praised the outreach project, while Lowe highlighted its importance for women, girls, and residents who depend on safe, accessible public spaces after dark.

The two cities also signed a new agreement reaffirming their commitment to expand collaboration across multiple development sectors. Detailed project plans will be released as they progress, but Mayor Lowe noted that the partnership will play a central role in advancing her long-term vision for Banjul.

Her Safe City Consultant, Latirr Carr, continues to work closely with Nanning officials to refine and implement elements of that vision. Lowe traveled with councillors Abdoulie Gaye, Fallou Gallas Ceesay, and Mamud Ceesay, whom she credited for helping to explore the city’s emerging development potential.

Mayor Lowe expressed gratitude to the Chinese Ambassador to The Gambia, H.E. Liu Jin, calling his support “essential” in strengthening the bilateral partnership.

“We continue to work toward a Banjul future generations will be proud of,” she said.