Mamy Tall, the celebrated Senegalese architect, designer, and cultural visionary known for reshaping the narrative of African cities, has passed away at the age of 32.
Her death, confirmed earlier this week, has left a deep void in Senegal’s creative and architectural communities.
A radiant force in West African design, Tall co-founded Dakar Lives, a digital platform spotlighting the vibrancy of Senegal’s urban culture, and established Weex Tall, a multidisciplinary studio merging architecture, photography, fashion, and heritage. Her work championed sustainable urbanism, modern African identity, and the use of local materials—particularly earthen construction—as a statement of cultural pride and environmental consciousness.
Born in Dakar in 1992 and raised partly in Lomé, Togo, Tall’s creative spark was ignited early. At just eight years old, she declared her dream of becoming an architect. She later studied architecture in Montréal, Canada, before returning to Senegal in 2017 to contribute to the evolving landscape of African design and public space.
Her vision for African cities was bold and deeply human. She believed in “building with our own narratives,” often stressing the importance of public memory, climate-responsive design, and honoring Senegalese heritage through architecture. Tall worked on restoration projects within the Presidency of Senegal and collaborated on national landmarks in Saint-Louis and Diamniadio. She also helped design scenography for the Chanel Métiers d’art 2022/23 show at the IFAN Museum in Dakar, bridging global fashion and local identity.
Among her most celebrated installations was “Doxantu,” featured during the 2022 Dakar Biennale, which transformed a traffic roundabout into a poetic dry garden encircled by sculptural works and a towering baobab tree, symbolizing resilience and rootedness.
“She was a passionate and luminous soul,” said many across Senegalese media and social networks, “radiating kindness, vision, and unwavering pride in her roots.”
Tributes have poured in from creatives, public officials, and everyday citizens who were touched by her work and her warmth. The Ordre des Architectes du Sénégal described her as an “engaged professional who brought dignity and emotion into every space she shaped.”
Mamy Tall’s sudden passing is not only a loss to Senegal but to the entire continent and global creative landscape. Her legacy will live on in the streets of Dakar, in the stories her projects tell, and in the generations of African architects and cultural workers she has inspired.
Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, loved ones, and the countless lives she touched.
