Kanifing

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Municipality in the Gambia

title: "Kanifing" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["populated-places-in-the-gambia", "greater-banjul-area"] description: "Municipality in the Gambia" topic_path: "general/populated-places-in-the-gambia" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanifing" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Municipality in the Gambia ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]

FieldValue
nameKanifing
settlement_typeUrban municipality
image_skyline{{multiple image
borderinfobox
perrow2/2/
total_width300
image1Senegambia, Serekunda roundabout 2 Gambia 2025.jpg
alt1A sandy beach with a small The Gambian flag in the foreground./ The golden sun in Serekunda in The Gambia in West Africa
image2Minnikhanov on 15th OIC Summit 12.jpg
alt2A street with cars and a sidewalk with
image3Banjul-aeroport.jpg
alt3Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center.
alt4Standard Chartered Bank
image5Kanifing Pipeline mosque 2025 2A.jpg
alt5Crocodiles lying next to green water.
image652nd Independence Anniversary Celebrations and Inauguration of His Excellency Mr. Adama Barrow President of the Republic of The Gambia.jpg
alt6Independence Stadium (Bakau)
alt7Greater Banjul Area Map
image_captionFrom left to right: Serekunda Roundabout, Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center, Banjul International Airport ,Pipeline Mosque, and Independence Stadium (Bakau) (Pre renovation),
image_flagFlag of Kanifing Municipal Council.png
image_shieldFile:GAM Kanifing COA.svg
shield_altA quartered shield, blue and white. Top left has a red sun. Top right has blue waves. Bottom left has a crocodile. Bottom right has a coconut tree. Above, a green coat of arms of The Gambia. Below, a banner saying "KANIFING MUNICIPAL COUNCIL".
image_mapGambia-Kanifing.png
map_captionLocation of the Kanifing Local Government Area in The Gambia
coordinates
governing_bodyKanifing Municipal Council
government_typeMayor–council government
leader_partyUnited Democratic Party
leader_titleLord Mayor
leader_nameTalib Ahmed Bensouda
area_land_km275.5
population_as_of2024
population_total379348
population_footnotes
pop_est_footnotes
subdivision_typeCountry
subdivision_nameThe Gambia
subdivision_type1Local government area
subdivision_name1Kanifing
subdivision_type2District
subdivision_name2Kanifing
websitehttp://kanifing.gm/
::

| name = Kanifing | native_name = | native_name_lang = | settlement_type = Urban municipality | image_skyline = {{multiple image |border = infobox |perrow = 2/2/ |total_width = 300 |image1 = Senegambia, Serekunda roundabout 2 Gambia 2025.jpg |alt1 = A sandy beach with a small The Gambian flag in the foreground./ The golden sun in Serekunda in The Gambia in West Africa |image2 = Minnikhanov on 15th OIC Summit 12.jpg |alt2 = A street with cars and a sidewalk with |image3 = Banjul-aeroport.jpg |alt3 = Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center. |image4 = |alt4 = Standard Chartered Bank |image5 = Kanifing Pipeline mosque 2025 2A.jpg |alt5 = Crocodiles lying next to green water. |image6 = 52nd Independence Anniversary Celebrations and Inauguration of His Excellency Mr. Adama Barrow President of the Republic of The Gambia.jpg |alt6 = Independence Stadium (Bakau) |image7 = |alt7 = Greater Banjul Area Map | imagesize = | image_alt = | image_caption = From left to right: Serekunda Roundabout, Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center, Banjul International Airport ,Pipeline Mosque, and Independence Stadium (Bakau) (Pre renovation), | image_flag = Flag of Kanifing Municipal Council.png | image_shield = File:GAM Kanifing COA.svg | shield_alt = A quartered shield, blue and white. Top left has a red sun. Top right has blue waves. Bottom left has a crocodile. Bottom right has a coconut tree. Above, a green coat of arms of The Gambia. Below, a banner saying "KANIFING MUNICIPAL COUNCIL". | image_map = Gambia-Kanifing.png | map_alt = | map_caption = Location of the Kanifing Local Government Area in The Gambia | etymology = | nickname = | coordinates = | governing_body = Kanifing Municipal Council | government_type = Mayor–council government | leader_party = United Democratic Party | leader_title = Lord Mayor | leader_name = Talib Ahmed Bensouda | area_land_km2 = 75.5 | population_as_of = 2024 | population_total = 379348 | population_footnotes = | population_est = | pop_est_as_of = | pop_est_footnotes = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = The Gambia | subdivision_type1 = Local government area | subdivision_name1 = Kanifing | subdivision_type2 = District | subdivision_name2 = Kanifing | website = http://kanifing.gm/

Kanifing is a municipality, local government area and district in the Gambia. It is part of the Greater Banjul Area, to the west of Banjul, and is governed by Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC).

The population of Kanifing expanded in the post-colonial era, and it is now one of the country's most-densely populated places and its second most-populated district. It received many migrants from the rest of the Gambia and abroad.

Kanifing is the economic centre of the Gambia, and Serekunda is its largest population center. Tourism is a major industry, and here are several higher education institutes, including the University of the Gambia.

History

Sayerr Jobe founded Serekunda, the first settlement in the forested area, in the nineteenth century. He helped establish other settlements in Kanifing, including Bundung and Ebo Town.

In 1840, France ceded a 40 km2 area that was called British Kombo and was later renamed Kombo St. Mary. It annexed another French cession in 1853. Kombo St. Mary was part of the Gambia Colony. The Protectorate Ordinances, which was passed between 1894 and 1902, transferred Kombo St. Mary to the administration of the Gambia Protectorate. It returned to the Gambia Colony in 1946. The local government area (LGA) of Kombo St. Mary was created in the 1960s from part of the Brikama LGA, and was the eighth LGA to be established. Kombo Rural Authority was renamed Kanifing Urban District Council in 1974 and Kanifing Municipal Council in 1991.

Kanifing grew significantly in the post-colonial era. This was largely caused by immigration from nearby countries; in 1993, foreign nationals made up 20% of the LGA's population. Kanifing's growth led to an increase in the country's urbanisation rate from 23% in 1973 to 37% in 1993. This expansion led to higher property values and foreign investment.

Geography

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/94/ISS023-E-38963_-_View_of_The_Gambia.jpg" caption="Satellite image of Kanifing, oriented with west on top"] ::

Kanifing is one of the eight LGAs of the Gambia, and is only one that contains only one district. The LGA has a land area of 75.5 km2. It lies immediately west of the capital city Banjul; this joint conurbation is known as the Greater Banjul Area. Serekunda, the country's largest urban area, is in Kanifing.

Demographics

|source = |1963 |12208 |1973 |39404 |1983 |101504 |1993 |228214 |2013 |377134 |2024 |379348 }}

Kanifing Municipality has a population of 377,134, as of the 2013 census, making it the country's most-populated and most-densely populated district.

The 2024 Census revealed a population of 379,348 - virtually unchanged since 2013. The sex ratio is 1:1 and the mean household size is 6.7. There are 40,367 people (11.63% of the population) in poverty, 3,340 (1.0%) in extreme poverty, and 117,648 (33.9%) in food poverty.

The predominantly rural Mandinka people moved to cities in the post-colonial era. Kanifing's share of the Gambia's Mandinka population increased from 3% in 1963 to 16% in 1993. In 1993, Kanifing had about a third of the country's Jola people, about a quarter of Serahuli people, nearly a third of Serer people, and the majority of Aku people. It had nearly half of the country's Christians.

The population has grown through both internal migration and immigration, being home in 2013 to 30% of the Gambia's immigrants and 35% of the country's internal migrants. The total number of immigrants was 33,790, of whom 34% were from Senegal and 25% were from Guinea.

In Kanifing and Banjul, the Wolof language is spoken as a lingua franca in multi-ethnic groups, rather than Mandinka as in the rest of the country.

Settlements

Kanifing has 19 settlements: ::data[format=table title="Settlements in Kanifing"]

SettlementPopulation201320031993
Abuko1581189584345
Bakau New Town252653160026687
Bakau Wasulun354513122195
Bakoteh16924171616594
Bundungka Kunda553605186941369
Dippa Kunda176541496515081
Ebo Town22789183632563
Faji Kunda381212396912744
Kololi725754984416
Kotu16358118444419
Kanifing14296
Pipeline4317
Latri Kunda German197652404522902
Latri Kunda Sabiji156191493911289
Manjai Kunda18601143724800
New Jeshwang173941702321656
Old Jeshwang7552133198480
Serekunda199441929218901
Talinding405623420619773
::

Administration

Administrative divisions

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9f/Kanifing_Municipal_Council_wards.svg" caption="The wards of Kanifing Municipal Council"] ::

Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) is led by the Lord Mayor of Kanifing, who has administrative duties. Ward councillors manage social and economic duties. KMC is divided into 18 wards: Abuko, Bakau New Town, Bakoteh, Bantaba Bore Hole, Bartez, Bundung Six Junction, Dippa Kunda, Fajikunda, Kanifing, Kololi, Latrikunda Sabiji, London Corner, Manjai Kotu, New Jeshwang/Ebo Town, Old Bakau/Cape Point, Old Jeshwang, Tallinding North, and Tallinding South. It is further divided into seventy-four sub-wards, each led by a sub-ward chairman. The municipality has seven parliamentary constituencies: Serekunda East, Serekunda West, Serekunda Central, Jeshwang, Bakau, Latrikunda Sabiji, and Tallinding.

Government

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a7/ABENSOUDA.jpg" caption="Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda" alt="Talib Ahmed Bensouda wearing a shirt with the Gambia flag and a badge with the Kanifing coat of arms."] ::

Talib Ahmed Bensouda, a member of the United Democratic Party, was elected Lord Mayor of Kanifing in the 2018 election, and was re-elected in the 2023 election. He is the son of lawyer Amie Bensouda. Talib Ahmed Bensouda succeeded Yankuba Colley as Lord Mayor.

The Deputy Mayor of KMC is Binta Janneh Jallow, who is the first woman to hold the position. Jallow, who was previously the ward councillor of Bakau New Town, was appointed to the post in July 2021 to replace Pa Musa Bah, who had resigned.

, the Crime Management Coordinator of KMC is Pateh Bah, who has held the position since its creation in 2017 by the Adama Barrow administration.

The Law Court Complex in Bundung houses the High Court, the Magistrates Court, and the Cadi Court. Kanifing Magistrates Court functions as the Children's Court on Tuesdays and Thursdays, despite the constitution providing for a full-time juvenile court.

Economy

Kanifing is the main commercial area of the Gambia, and is the district with the highest concentration of industry, hosting a large industrial estate. Most of the Gambia's hotels and coastal resorts lie within the municipality, as does Independence Stadium, the national football stadium. While government administration is an important part of the economy, 50.8% of the workforce is employed in the private sector. Altogether, 32.5% of workers are in wholesale and retail trade, 13% in manufacturing and 17.5% in services.

Of the LGA's 251,712 people who are 15 or older, 122,726 are in the labour force, including 108,474 who are employed and 14,252 who are unemployed. The unemployment rate among workers aged 15 to 35 is 6.5%, relatively low for the Gambia, although within this age range over 20% of those with higher education are unemployed. Child labour affects 3.5% of children aged 5–11, 9.7% aged 12–14, and 14.6% aged 15–17.

Bensouda's government has planned an affordable housing project to build 8,000 homes.

Infrastructure

Waste management

The Local Government Act (the Gambia) 2002 gives municipalities the responsibility for waste management. The Environment and Sanitation Unit (ESU), part of KMC's Directorate of Services, is responsible for waste and other environmental health issues. The ESU performs daily street cleaning and collects market waste and waste from public facilities, and clears illegal dumps. KMC, which spends 25% of its budget on waste management, has no official waste-separation or recycling programmes.

Bakoteh Dumpsite, the largest landfill in the country, collects all waste from the Greater Banjul Area. It was created as part of a defunct mining operation. It is overfilled and does not have modern disposal systems. It is located in a densely populated area near Bakoteh, Dippa Kunda and Manjai Kunda. The dumpsite's environmental impacts include methane fires, water contamination, and odour. The city hires bulldozers to transport waste to the dump but it is sometimes blocked by waterlogging in the rainy season. Many residents of the area around the dumpsite make a living from informal recycling. KMC has planned to establish a new dumpsite and turn the old one into a transfer station. In 2021, it conducted a pilot program to compost the organic waste in the dump and convert it to biofuel.

The Mbalit project (meaning waste in Wolof) collects household waste; it assigns each ward a garbage truck that collects waste from each household weekly. It uses a digital ticket system to pay for the service. Informal waste collectors use donkey-drawn carts to collect waste from households that are not covered by the project. In 2022, KMC estimated it collected 460 tons of waste per day, of which 57.5% came from households, though this data is imprecise. The city has 370 waste management workers, of whom 227 are under the ESU and 143 are under the Mbalit project, .

Bensouda called waste management his number-one priority as mayor. KMC developed a five-year waste management plan (2017 to 2021) in consultation with the community and the private sector. It focussed on public awareness, new waste-sorting strategies, expanded household waste collection, job creation, and partnerships with informal waste management. It created the Mbalit project, the first household-waste-collection programme in the Gambia. With a grant from the European Union, Bensouda launched the Kanifing Environmental Transformation Programme (KETP), which donated waste-collection equipment to the initiative. It set up 10 communal skip bins and reduced the number of illegal dumpsites from 65 to 17. The programme's success improved the government's image.

Transport

The Gambia Transport Service Company, which runs international buses to Dakar and Bissau, has a bus depot in Kanifing. Bensouda's government has planned an urban bus system with 50 buses and 20 routes.

Education

Kanifing has most of the country's tertiary education institutes, including the University of The Gambia, the American International University West Africa, the Gambia Technical Training Institute, and the Management Development Institute.

Construction of Kanifing's library began on 18 August 2022. It will be the country's first municipal library. It is an initiative of Bensouda and the KETP, with funding from Peterborough City Council in England. The project cost 45 million dalasi.

Sport

The Kanifing Municipal Sports Committee (KM Sport) is one of the Gambia's seven regional sports organisations. Its chairperson, who is elected from the chairpersons of its constituent district sport committees, represents Kanifing in the National Sports Council.

Sister cities

Kanifing is twinned with:

Madison has provided funding for Kanifing's garbage trucks and its public library.

References

References

  1. . (1 June 2015). ["Population and Housing Census of Gambia, 2013"](https://gambia.opendataforafrica.org/mmfoqkd/population-and-housing-census-of-gambia-2013).
  2. (2 March 2015). ""Sayerr Jobe's name cannot be easily forgotten" Says a descendant". [[Foroyaa]].
  3. (31 December 2006). "A Political History of the Gambia, 1816-1994". Boydell and Brewer.
  4. (31 December 2015). "1 Peasants by Other Means: (Im)mobility and the Making of a Village Mooring". Berghahn Books.
  5. (2011). "The Gambia: Kanifing Urban Profile". [[UN Habitat]].
  6. (25 October 2023). "Antibiotics susceptibility patterns of uropathogenic bacteria: a cross-sectional analytic study at Kanifing General Hospital, The Gambia". BMC Infectious Diseases.
  7. . (1 June 2015). ["Population and Housing Census of Gambia, 2013"](https://gambia.opendataforafrica.org/mmfoqkd/population-and-housing-census-of-gambia-2013).
  8. . (15 December 2020). ["Mayors Dialogue on Growth and Solidarity: City profile: Kanifing, The Gambia"](https://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep51501). *[[ODI (think tank)*.
  9. . (1 June 2015). ["The 2023 Gambia Statistical Abstract"](https://www.gbosdata.org/downloads/50-the-gambia-statistical-yearbooks-abstracts).
  10. (31 December 2015). "2. Gambia's Local Languages". Multilingual Matters.
  11. (2003). "Population and Housing Census 2003".
  12. (1993). "Directory of settlements".
  13. . ["Council Members"](https://kanifing.gm/meet-the-councilors/).
  14. "Subdivisions of KMC".
  15. Sillah, Nyima. (31 March 2023). "Re-Election of Mayor Bensouda, 'the Best is yet to come- Lawyer Martin". The Voice.
  16. . (22 May 2023). ["UDP celebrates success in LG election"](https://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/headlines/udp-celebrates-success-in-lg-election). *[[The Point (the Gambia)*.
  17. Manneh, Alagie. (26 June 2020). "Talib Bensouda Mayor, Kanifing municipality". The Standard.
  18. Sheriff Janko, Saloum. (13 September 2024). "Bensouda pays homage to ex-Mayor Yankuba Colley as he signs condolence book". [[The Point (the Gambia)]].
  19. . (26 July 2021). ["Binta Janneh Jallow: Who is the new deputy KM mayor"](https://fatunetwork.net/binta-janneh-jallow-who-is-the-new-deputy-km-mayor/). *Fatu Network*.
  20. Bah, Omar. (21 February 2024). "Police Say Most Crimes Committed by Foreigners". The Standard.
  21. . (5 July 2017). ["New CMC For KMC-First Time In The History Of The Gambia Police Force"](https://fatunetwork.net/new-cmc-kmc-first-time-history-gambia-police-force/). *Fatu Network*.
  22. Ceesay, Landing. (10 February 2023). "Access To Justice: Judiciary Inaugurates New Court Complex In Bundung". Kerr Fatou.
  23. Foley, Edmund Amarkwei. (1 April 2012). "From Old Jeshwang to Kanifing : improving children's access to justice in The Gambia - challenges and prospects". Article 40.
  24. (1 December 2023). "Prevalence and factors associated with occupational injuries among building construction workers in the Gambia". [[Injury Prevention (journal).
  25. (2022). "Case study: Kanifing Municipal Council". ODI.
  26. Magoum, Inès. (29 July 2021). "GAMBIA: Kanifing to convert organic waste into fertiliser and biomass". Afrik 21.
  27. Magoum, Inès. (24 October 2022). "GAMBIA: EU grants €3 million for solid waste management in Kanifing". Afrik 21.
  28. Jaiteh, Binta. (14 October 2022). "KMC Launches 3 million euros Environmental Transformation Project". The Voice.
  29. Nyockeh, Abdoulie. (10 August 2017). "GTSC launches new Banjul-Dakar Service". [[The Point (the Gambia).
  30. Nyockeh, Abdoulie. (3 April 2017). "GTSC launches Gambia-Bissau international transport service". [[The Point (the Gambia).
  31. Bobb, Cherno Omar. (14 October 2022). "KMC to introduce urban transport system, housing project". [[The Point (the Gambia).
  32. Marong, Mariama. (19 August 2022). "KMC Mayor Launches D45 Million Modern Library Project". Foroyaa.
  33. Camara, Pascal Mamudou. (2024). "Management of Sport Organizations at the Crossroad of Responsibility and Sustainability". Springer Nature Switzerland.
  34. "Twinning". Kanifing Municipal Council.
  35. Branston, John. (10 July 2006). "Memphis' Sister Cities".
  36. Garton, Nicholas. (24 October 2019). "Madison to help build first public library in Gambian sister city Kanifing". [[The Capital Times]].

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populated-places-in-the-gambiagreater-banjul-area