Banjul, 5 October 2023 - The newly appointed Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for The Gambia, Ms. Mandisa Mashologu presented her credentials to the Honorable Minister Mamadou Tangara at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In her new role, Ms. Mashologu has the overall responsibility of the UN Development agency activities in the country; closely collaborating with national stakeholders, international partners and with the wider United Nations family to support The Gambia’s national development priorities and the quest to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Ms. Mashologu reaffirmed UNDP’s continued commitment and support to The Gambia. “I look forward to building upon our longstanding partnership to collectively advance development solutions for a more inclusive, peaceful and prosperous future for the people of The Gambia.” Ms. Mashologu stated.

Minister Tangara welcomed Ms. Mashologu to The Gambia and noted the strong foundation and partnership shared with UNDP. He expressed his appreciation and expectation to continue and further expand the working relationship between the Government and UNDP in implementing the forward looking Green Recovery National Development Plan 2023-2027. 

Prior to her appointment as UNDP The Gambia Resident Representative, Ms. Mandisa Mashologu, a national of Lesotho served as UNDP Deputy Resident Representative – Programmes, Kenya since 2019. Ms. Mashologu has more than 20 years’ experience in international development, holding progressively senior roles in the private sector and with UNDP. Over the course of her career, she has provided strategic policy and technical advisory services, designed integrated development programmes, and championed key interventions most notably in inclusive growth, governance, poverty reduction, and HIV and AIDS. 

Within UNDP, she has served in various capacities including Country Director in Zambia (2017-2019), Deputy Country Director – Programmes in Nigeria (2015 - 2017) and the same position in Tanzania (2013 - 2014), as well as Team Leader – Poverty Reduction and MDGs in Southern Sudan/South Sudan (2009 - 2012). She has supported regional programming in Africa while based at the Regional Service Centre for Africa in Ethiopia (2014) and served as Country Programme Advisor at the Regional Bureau for Africa in New York, USA (2019). 

Ms. Mashologu holds an MA in Economics from Lakehead University in Canada, and a BA (Hons) in Economics from Trent University in Canada.