Ms. Hayat Sami has officially declared her candidacy to succeed Mr. Jean Elong Mbassi as Secretary General of United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG Africa), the Pan-African organization of local Governments headquartered in Rabat. Her profile embodies the promise of a new chapter in African local governance, one rooted in innovation, integrity, and inclusive leadership.
With over twenty-five years of experience in public administration and local governance, notably within the City of Rabat, Ms. Sami brings an exceptional track record. She currently serves as Head of the Division of Cooperation and Partnerships, where she has distinguished herself as a skilled negotiator and a strategic thinker of the highest caliber.
Under her leadership, Rabat has emerged as a benchmark in decentralized cooperation and city diplomacy. Her efforts have led to the successful implementation of more than fifty projects, alongside the mobilization of substantial infrastructure financing. Her discreet yet impactful leadership has significantly enhanced Rabat’s international standing, positioning the city within the presidencies of leading global networks such as UCLG, Strong Cities, LUCI, and Metropolis, and within the executive boards of prestigious city alliances including AIMF, OVA, and OICC.
Proud of her African heritage, Ms. Sami has been a driving force behind South-South cooperation. Through the African Fund for Decentralized Cooperation, initiated by His Majesty the King of Morocco, she has spearheaded transformative projects across numerous African cities like Dakar, Djibouti, Brazzaville, Sheema, Isingiro, Mbama, Libreville, Praia, among others. Her diplomatic reach extends well beyond the continent, encompassing Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Eurasia, and the United States, earning her global recognition as a respected figure in city diplomacy.
A graduate of ESSEC Paris, the International University of Rabat, and Mohammed V University, and trained at the Practical school of the Sorbonne, Ms. Hayat Sami embodies a model of female leadership rooted in concrete action, inclusivity, and measurable impact. Her candidacy for the position of General Secretary of UCLG
Africa marks the emergence of a new era in African local governance, one firmly committed to innovation, effective management, and continental solidarity.
December 2025 represents a strategic turning point for the Pan-African organization, which is currently facing an unprecedented institutional crisis.
