A Bridge to West Africa – Center for International Trade Development – CITD

ESTABLISHING SISTER CITY RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CITY OF NORTH MIAMI AND CITY OF BANJUL, THE GAMBIA

BY MAYOR ALIX DESULME

As Mayor of the City of North Miami, I have always believed in the power of connection—both within our community and beyond our borders. That’s why I am particularly proud of the Sister City partnership we established last year with the City of Banjul in The Gambia. This partnership is more than just a formal agreement; it represents a profound commitment to fostering cultural, educational, and economic ties between our two cities, and to promoting global understanding and cooperation.

In August of 2023, I had the distinct honor of leading a business development and cultural mission to Banjul. Accompanied by an esteemed delegation that included members of the North Miami Council—Vice Mayor Marie Estime Irvin, Councilman Scott Galvin, and Councilman Pierre Frantz Charles—along with key Miami-Dade County Commissioners Kionne L. McGhee and Marleine Bastien, and other notable leaders like Vice Mayor Alexandra Davis of Miramar and Mayor Samson Borgelin of North Lauderdale, we embarked on a journey that would further solidify the bonds between our two cities.

Our visit to Banjul was nothing short of transformative. We were welcomed with open arms, and the warmth and hospitality of the people of Banjul left a lasting impression on all of us. But beyond the cultural exchange, our mission had a clear purpose: to explore opportunities for economic development, to establish educational exchanges, and to lay the groundwork for collaborative projects that would benefit both North Miami and Banjul.

One of the most exciting aspects of this partnership is the potential for mutual economic growth. By fostering trade and investment between our two cities, we can create new opportunities for businesses, drive innovation, and promote sustainable development. The conversations we had during our mission have already begun to yield promising prospects, and I am confident that the future holds even greater potential.

But this partnership is not just about economics; it’s about people. It’s about building bridges that connect our communities, enriching our cultural landscapes, and expanding our understanding of the world. It’s about providing our residents—especially our youth—with the opportunity to engage in global citizenship, to learn from different cultures, and to contribute to a more interconnected and harmonious world.

As we move forward, I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. We have laid a strong foundation, and now it is up to us to build upon it, to deepen our ties with Banjul, and to continue working together toward a future where our cities thrive not just in isolation, but in partnership with each other.

I look forward to sharing more about this remarkable journey and the many ways in which the Sister City partnership between North Miami and Banjul will continue to flourish. Together, we are not just building a partnership between two cities; we are creating a legacy of collaboration, understanding, and shared progress that will benefit generations to come.