Philip Davis
Prime Minister
Timeline
Born in New Providence on June 7.
Graduated from St. John's College with six GCE O Levels.
Called to the Bar of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas on March 5.
First elected to the House of Assembly for Cat Island, Rum Cay & San Salvador.
Sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Urban Development.
Elected leader of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) on October 25.
Sworn in as the fifth Prime Minister of The Bahamas on September 17.
Re-elected Prime Minister for a second consecutive term on May 14.
Biography
Philip Edward Davis, born June 7, 1951, is a Bahamian lawyer and politician who has served as the fifth Prime Minister of The Bahamas since September 17, 2021. He also held the position of Minister of Finance from 2021 to 2026. Davis has led the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) since 2017 and has represented Cat Island, Rum Cay & San Salvador in the House of Assembly since 2002, having previously served from 1992 to 1997. Before becoming Prime Minister, he was Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Urban Development from 2012 to 2017, and Leader of the Opposition from 2017 to 2021. He was re-elected Prime Minister in 2026, becoming the first Bahamian prime minister to be re-elected to a consecutive term since 1997.
Early Life & Background
Philip Davis was born in New Providence on June 7, 1951, the eldest of eight children. His father was Brave Edward Davis of Old Bight, Cat Island, and his mother was Dorothy Davis, née Smith, of Alexander, Exuma. He spent part of his childhood on Cat Island with his grandparents, who farmed for a living. After returning to Nassau, he attended Eastern Prep School, Eastern Junior School, and St. John's College. He began working at a young age to help pay his school fees, including as a construction worker and later at Barclays Bank before entering the legal profession.
Education
Philip Davis attended Eastern Prep School, Eastern Junior School, and St. John's College in Nassau. He graduated from St. John's College in 1968 with six GCE O Levels. He later entered the legal profession as an articled clerk at Wallace-Whitfield & Barnwell.
Political & Professional Career
Philip Davis became involved with the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) as a teenager. He was first elected to the House of Assembly for Cat Island, Rum Cay & San Salvador in 1992, serving until 1997, and then continuously from 2002. From 2012 to 2017, he served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Urban Development under Perry Christie. Following the PLP's defeat in the 2017 general election, he became Leader of the Opposition on May 19, 2017, and was elected PLP leader on October 25, 2017. Davis led the PLP to victory in the 2021 Bahamian general election, becoming the fifth Prime Minister of The Bahamas on September 17, 2021, also serving as Minister of Finance. He led the PLP to victory again in the 2026 general election, being sworn in for his second consecutive term on May 14, 2026.
Key Achievements & Legacy
Led the Progressive Liberal Party to victory in the 2021 and 2026 Bahamian general elections, becoming the first Bahamian prime minister re-elected to a consecutive term since 1997., Oversaw the country's economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic-era collapse in tourism during his first term as Prime Minister and Minister of Finance., Implemented policy changes including lowering the standard value-added tax (VAT) rate from 12 percent to 10 percent and removing VAT from unprepared food sold in grocery stores., Championed climate change and climate finance for small island developing states (SIDS) as a major theme of his foreign policy, hosting Caribbean leaders ahead of COP27., Completed a debt-for-nature swap in 2024, unlocking over $120 million for ocean conservation and mangrove restoration in The Bahamas.