Adama Barrow
Beyonddennis's Research: Adama Barrow: A Comprehensive Biography
Authored by Beyonddennis
Early Life and Educational Foundation
Adama Barrow, the third and current President of The Gambia, was born on February 15 or 16, 1965, in Mankamang Kunda, a small village near Basse Santa Su in what was then British Gambia. His birth occurred just two or three days before The Gambia gained independence from the United Kingdom. He is the son of Mamudu Barrow and Kaddijatou Jallow. While his father, Mamadou Barrow, was Mandinka, his mother, Kaddijatou Jallow (also referred to as Haddy Jallow), was from the Fula ethnic group, giving Barrow a mixed ethnic background. He is also a twin, though his twin sister passed away. Barrow grew up speaking the Fula language in a predominantly Fula village.
Despite his parents being uneducated and his family's humble background, Adama Barrow demonstrated an early determination for education. He attended Koba Kunda primary school, followed by Crab Island Secondary School in Banjul. His academic promise earned him a scholarship to the Muslim High School in Banjul, the capital of The Gambia.
Upon completing his high school education in 1988, Barrow began his professional career. He worked for Alhagie Musa and Sons (also referred to as Alhagie Musa Njie & Sons), a Gambian energy company, where he climbed the ranks to become a sales manager. Alhaji Musa Njie, a prominent Sarahule businessman, was also instrumental in Barrow's upbringing and introduced him to the world of business.
From London Security Guard to Real Estate Mogul
In the early 2000s, Barrow sought further opportunities and moved to London, England. While there, he pursued a degree in real estate. To finance his studies, he worked as a security guard, notably at a North London branch of the catalogue retailer Argos. He often described this period as formative, stating that working 15 hours a day helped shape him into the person he is today.
After acquiring his real estate qualifications, Barrow returned to The Gambia in 2006. He then founded his own company, Majum Real Estate, and served as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) until 2016. His success in the real estate sector was significant, with many of his clients being Sarahule property owners, particularly those living abroad.
Political Ascent and the Historic 2016 Election
Adama Barrow's entry into politics can be seen as a gradual yet impactful journey, culminating in a pivotal moment for The Gambia. His political involvement began around 1996, showing early support for the United Democratic Party (UDP), The Gambia's main opposition party. He initially started his political career with the National Reconciliation Party (NRP). However, in 2007, he left the NRP and joined the UDP. While he had not held any previously elected office before his presidential bid, he served as the treasurer of the UDP.
The political landscape in The Gambia took a dramatic turn in 2016. Following the imprisonment of UDP's leadership, including its long-time leader Ousainou Darboe, in July 2016, Barrow was thrust into the political limelight. On October 30, 2016, a coalition of seven opposition parties, known as Coalition 2016, chose Barrow as their endorsed candidate for the 2016 Gambian Presidential Election. To run as an independent candidate with the backing of the coalition, Barrow formally resigned from the UDP on November 3, 2016.
During his campaign, Barrow made several key promises, including returning The Gambia to the Commonwealth of Nations and the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court. He also pledged to reform security forces, advocating for their professionalization and separation from politics. A significant promise was to establish a temporary transition government with members from the opposition coalition and to step down within three years, an agreement he later reneged on, leading to public protests.
The election, held on December 1, 2016, resulted in a surprising victory for Adama Barrow, ending Yahya Jammeh's 22-year authoritarian rule. Barrow secured 43.34% of the vote (227,708 votes), while Jammeh received 39.6% (208,487 votes), and a third candidate, Mama Kandeh, garnered 17.1% (89,768 votes). Initially, Jammeh conceded defeat, which was hailed as a historic moment. However, on December 9, Jammeh retracted his concession, citing irregularities, and called for a new election, plunging the country into a constitutional crisis. This led to international condemnation and a military intervention by ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States). Fearing for his safety, Barrow was forced to flee to neighboring Senegal. He was inaugurated as President at the Gambian embassy in Dakar, Senegal, on January 19, 2017. Jammeh eventually agreed to go into exile on January 21, 2017, and Barrow returned to The Gambia on January 27, 2017, to a welcoming crowd.
Presidency: Achievements, Challenges, and Controversies
Adama Barrow's presidency marked a significant shift for The Gambia, moving from decades of authoritarian rule to a more democratic and open society. His administration immediately began work on reforming and strengthening the rule of law, human rights, and government institutions. Early actions included overturning Jammeh's decision to leave the International Criminal Court and rejoining the Commonwealth of Nations.
Key Achievements:
- Democratic Reforms: Under Barrow's leadership, The Gambia has seen the restoration of democracy and the rule of law. There are no political prisoners, media operates freely with over 35 new media houses established since 2017, and civil society organizations are vibrant. Peaceful protests, political pluralism, and press freedom have returned.
- Transitional Justice: Barrow established the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) in 2017 to address past human rights violations committed during Jammeh's era. The TRRC heard numerous testimonies and delivered its report to Barrow in late November 2021.
- Infrastructure Development: His administration has focused heavily on infrastructure, including roads, bridges (like the Senegambia Bridge, for which he received an award in 2019), power plants, and water projects. Rural electrification has significantly increased, with regions previously without electricity now connected to the national grid. Water supply has also improved.
- Economic Progress: Despite global challenges like COVID-19, The Gambia has maintained relative economic stability and seen increased economic growth under Barrow. His government has prioritized youth employment, skills development, and agricultural revitalization.
- Education and Health: Barrow's government has expanded school infrastructure, increased teacher recruitment and training, and better resourced tertiary institutions. In health, more hospitals have been built, health posts upgraded, and training programs scaled up.
- International Relations: Barrow has worked to restore The Gambia's international standing, strengthening ties with various global partners. The Gambia's election as President of ECOWAS from 2022 to 2026 further highlights this renewed engagement.
Challenges and Controversies:
- Three-Year Promise: A major point of contention has been Barrow's decision to renege on his campaign promise to serve only a three-year transitional term and then step down. He later stated that the constitution required him to serve a full five-year term, leading to "3-Years Jotna" protests in late 2019 and early 2020, which the government banned.
- Political Realignment: In 2020, Barrow established the National People's Party (NPP) after fractures within the initial coalition. His decision to form an alliance with Jammeh's old party, the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC), for his re-election bid in 2021 raised concerns among victims and human rights campaigners regarding justice for past abuses.
- Justice for Jammeh-Era Crimes: While the TRRC report was delivered, concerns persist about the political will to fully implement its recommendations and prosecute alleged perpetrators from the Jammeh era. The 14,000-page document and names of alleged perpetrators have not been made public.
- Asset Management Controversy: More recently, Barrow faced criticism in 2025 after acknowledging he was unaware of certain transactions involving the sale of assets seized from former President Yahya Jammeh, raising questions about oversight and potential corruption within his government. A leaked memo regarding funding for his mother's overseas medical trip also sparked controversy in April 2025.
- Security Sector Reform: Despite commitments to reform, there have been criticisms regarding the effectiveness of security sector reforms, particularly concerning border security.
Personal Life and Recognition
Adama Barrow is a devout Sunni Muslim, and he states that his faith guides his life and politics. He practices polygamy and has two wives: Fatoumatta Bah (whom he married in 1997) and Sarjo Mballow. Both of his wives are from the Fula ethnic group. Upon taking office, he designated his first wife, Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, as the First Lady of The Gambia.
Barrow has five children, though one of his sons, eight-year-old Habibu Barrow, tragically died after being bitten by a dog on January 15, 2017, just days before his inauguration. Due to security concerns, Barrow could not attend his son's funeral in Banjul as he was in Senegal.
He is known to be a self-confessed workaholic and a fan of the English football club Arsenal, a passion he developed during his time in the UK. He speaks multiple languages, including Mandinka, Fula, Wolof, Sarahule, and English.
For his leadership and commitment to democracy, rule of law, and human rights, Adama Barrow has received several honors. In December 2018, he was awarded an honorary doctorate degree by the Regional Maritime University in Ghana for his "excellent statesmanship." The University of The Gambia also conferred upon him an honorary doctorate for human rights in January 2018. In June 2019, he received The Great Builder Super Prize award (The Africa Road Builders Babacar Ndiaye Trophy) for his leadership in building the Senegambia Bridge.
Re-election and Future Outlook
In November 2021, Adama Barrow announced his candidacy for the 2021 presidential election and was re-elected, securing a second five-year term. He won with 53% of the first-round vote and was sworn in on January 19, 2022. This victory was seen as a test of democratic stability for The Gambia following the tumultuous transition of power in 2017. During his second term, he has pledged to continue working on economic progress and reiterated a commitment to introduce a new constitution, though he has not specified whether it would include presidential term limits that would prevent him from seeking additional terms.
The journey of Adama Barrow, from a modest village upbringing and working as a security guard in London to becoming the President of The Gambia, is a testament to an unpredictable political rise and a period of significant change for the West African nation.