Rohey Malick Lowe

Focus Areas

Rohey Malick Lowe is the Mayor of Banjul, the capital city of The Gambia, and the first woman ever elected to lead the city. As Mayor, she oversees the governance, administration and development of Banjul, providing strategic leadership on urban renewal, infrastructure, climate resilience, social services and economic empowerment. Through her leadership, she has championed initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for residents while advancing sustainable and inclusive city development.

Beyond her role in local government, Mayor Lowe serves as President of REFELA (Network of Locally Elected Women of Africa), the women’s wing of UCLG Africa. In this capacity, she represents and advocates for elected women leaders across Africa, promoting gender equality, inclusive governance and sustainable urban development. Her leadership has strengthened the visibility of women in political leadership and elevated The Gambia’s profile on the continental stage.

One of her most notable achievements is her support for the REFELA Water is Life Initiative, which has expanded access to safe water through the installation of solar-powered boreholes in rural communities across The Gambia. She has also led major urban development programmes in partnership with UN-Habitat, advanced Banjul’s climate adaptation agenda, and contributed to democratic reform and accountability efforts in The Gambia.

At the heart of her public service is a determination to ensure that no community is left behind and that development reaches those who need it most. Her leadership reflects a commitment to equity, accountability and the transformative power of service-driven governance.