Gambia Targets 719 Communities in New Electricity Access Rollout

The Gambian government plans to roll out new electricity connections to 719 communities nationwide between February 7 and 15, as part of ongoing efforts to expand power supply and improve service delivery, officials said.

The projects are being implemented with financial support from multilateral development partners, including the World Bank, the European Union, the European Investment Bank, and the African Development Bank.

They fall under programmes such as the Gambia Electricity Restoration and Modernisation Project (GERMP), the Gambia Electricity Access Project (GEAP), and the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Access Project (ECOREAP), according to a joint statement by the Ministry of Petroleum, Energy and Mines and the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC).

The inaugurations are expected to take place across the North Bank Region, Central River Region–North, Upper River Region–North, and Upper River Region–South, with daily commissioning ceremonies scheduled between 16:00 and 19:00 hours.

Authorities say the newly completed connections are intended to support economic activity in rural and underserved areas, while improving access to basic services.

The Gambia has made steady progress in expanding electricity access in recent years, with national electrification estimated at about 75 percent. The government aims to achieve universal electricity access by late 2026, with the latest projects expected to contribute toward that target.