List of Presidents of Gambia: Past and Present

Last updated November 2026

This page lists the presidents and heads of state of Gambia from 1970 to the present, with the years each leader was in office and a short summary of their time in power. Use it to find the current president of Gambia, former presidents, and key dates in the country's political history.

Current president of Gambia: Adama Barrow (in office since 2017).

Presidents of Gambia in order, with years in office

Dawda Jawara

Served: 1970–1994

Prime minister from 1962 and the first president after the Gambia became a republic in 1970; overthrown in a bloodless coup in 1994, went into exile and returned in 2002.

Yahya Jammeh

Served: 1994–2017

Seized power in the 1994 coup and ruled for 22 years; lost the December 2016 election, and left office on 21 January 2017 after regional pressure, going into exile in Equatorial Guinea.

Adama Barrow

Served: 2017–present

Won the December 2016 election with 43.34% of the vote and is seeking a third term in the election set for 5 December 2026.

Frequently asked questions about the presidents of Gambia

Who is the current president of Gambia?

The current head of state of Gambia is Adama Barrow, in office since 2017.

Who were the previous presidents of Gambia?

The presidents and heads of state of Gambia listed on this page, in order, are: Dawda Jawara, Yahya Jammeh, Adama Barrow.

Who was the first president of Gambia?

Dawda Jawara was the first president of Gambia, in office 1970–1994.

Sources: Wikipedia, List of heads of state of the Gambia; Archontology.org, The Gambia: Heads of State; FactCheck Gambia; news reports on the December 2026 election date (checked Nov 2026). The Gambia has had three presidents since 1970.. Last reviewed November 2026.

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