H.E. Adama Barrow
Born three days before independence in a village near Basse, Adama Barrow's life traces a singular Gambian arc — from a small classroom in Jimara to the highest office of the Republic.
This archive records the life, leadership, achievements and legacy of the third President of the Republic of The Gambia — chronicling a journey of service from village beginnings, through education in Banjul and London, a decade of enterprise at home, and an unexpected call to national leadership in 2016 that opened a new chapter for the country.
Leadership is about service — service to one's nation, one's people, and the generations yet to come.
— President Adama Barrow
Education
From the modest classrooms of Koba Kunda primary school he advanced to Crab Island Secondary in Banjul, before earning a scholarship to the prestigious Muslim High School in the capital.
It was during these years that the values of discipline, perseverance and service took deep root — a foundation that would carry him from a Gambian village to the highest office in the land.
A Working Life
After graduation he joined Alhagie Musa & Sons, a Gambian energy company, rising to the position of sales manager. In the early 2000s he moved to London to study real estate — funding his education by working as a security guard.
He returned home in 2006 and founded Majum Real Estate, building a respected business from the ground up over the following decade. He served as its CEO until 2016.
The Coalition
On the thirtieth of October 2016, a coalition of seven opposition parties chose Adama Barrow as their consensus candidate. He resigned from the United Democratic Party three days later and stood as an independent.
He campaigned on the return of The Gambia to the Commonwealth, judicial reform, and a peaceful, term-limited transition. On the first of December 2016, he won the presidency with 43.34 percent of the vote.
The Presidency.
Following a constitutional impasse, President Barrow was inaugurated at the Gambian embassy in Senegal on the nineteenth of January 2017. He returned to Banjul on the twenty-seventh of January to a nation in celebration.
The Gambia on the world stage.
Under President Barrow, The Gambia rejoined the Commonwealth of Nations, re-engaged with the International Criminal Court, and deepened ties across West Africa, the Islamic world, and partner nations on every continent.
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National transformation, by domain.
The Senegambia Bridge
Connecting the two halves of The Gambia and linking the nation to its neighbour, the bridge opened in 2019 and earned the Africa Road Builders 'Great Builder' recognition.
Return to the Commonwealth
On 8 February 2018, The Gambia formally rejoined the Commonwealth of Nations, restoring an important diplomatic and developmental partnership.
Truth, Reconciliation, Reparations
Establishment of the TRRC to examine human-rights violations of the previous era and lay the foundation for national healing.
Press freedom and prisoner release
Release of 171 political prisoners and reaffirmation of press freedom in the early months of the presidency.
Strengthening primary care
Investment in regional hospitals, primary health-care networks and Gambia's response to global health challenges.
Schools and scholarships
Expansion of school infrastructure, teacher training, and university scholarship programmes.
A presidential timeline.
A continuing chapter in the Gambian story.
The story of His Excellency Adama Barrow is the story of a nation rediscovering itself — a record kept here for the generations yet to come.
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