It is with great pleasure that we announce the return of the City of Saint-Louis (Senegal) as an active member of the OWHC. Following the meeting in Lamu (Kenya) held in December 2025, during which sub-Saharan African cities joined forces to contribute to the OWHC’s New Urban Process, the Mayor of Saint-Louis, Mr. Amadou Mansour Faye, enthusiastically renewed his city’s membership, after a 20-year hiatus taken by the city’s former administrators.

Following the welcome of Djenné (Mali) and Agadez (Niger) earlier this year, this news demonstrates a renewed commitment by African cities to the OWHC. We are delighted to welcome Saint-Louis back into our network and to continue, together, sharing expertise, experiences and solutions tailored to the urban realities of World Heritage cities. This return also helps to strengthen the role of the OWHC in Africa, at a time when cooperation between cities is more essential than ever to improve the habitability, resilience and vitality of historic centres.

To know more about Saint-Louis’ World Heritage site: