Gambia Weighs Power Options as Karpowership Return Remains Possible

The possibility of using Karpowership again has emerged as The Gambia deals with interruptions in electricity supply and works on longer-term plans for its power sector.

Türkiye's outgoing Ambassador to The Gambia, Fahir Turker Oba, said the company could still work with the country if its services were needed.

Oba spoke on Thursday, September 10, 2026, during a farewell meeting with Gambian journalists before his departure after two and a half years in the country.

His comments came after he was asked whether Karpowership could return following the end of its electricity supply agreement.

"The contract with Karpower was not cut. It was the end of the term," he said.

The agreement ended in April 2025 after reaching its contractual period. The Gambian government then considered other ways of meeting the country's electricity needs.

Oba said that decision did not prevent future talks with Karpowership. He said the company was still willing to help The Gambia if there was a need for its services.

"Nothing is cut," he said.

Power supply remains a major challenge

The ambassador said The Gambia had the right to decide how it wanted to manage its energy sector. He also said ending the earlier agreement should not be treated as proof that the arrangement had failed.

"This is an investment topic. Nothing is granted," he said.

He explained that large energy projects require significant financial commitments and may take time before they produce results.

"This isn't seen as a failure," he said.

Oba also pointed to the time needed to deploy Karpowership's floating power-generation system. He said such a vessel could be brought in much faster than a conventional power station could be built.

Karpowership operates in countries including Senegal and Sudan. Oba cited Guinea as an example of a country where the company left and later returned.

"I know that by fact in other countries it can happen," he said.

He did not say that Karpowership was preparing to return to The Gambia. He also said he had not spoken with the company after the country's recent developments in the electricity sector.

The issue, for The Gambia, is not limited to finding a short-term source of electricity. Oba said the country needed to keep investing in a reliable electricity grid and develop more sources of power.

Solar energy is one of the options being considered. Turkish companies have shown interest in renewable energy projects in The Gambia, including solar power.

Oba said solar power could not yet fully replace a reliable thermal electricity system because of technological and cost limits. He also pointed to the difficulty of supplying electricity consistently to remote areas.

The Gambia therefore needs to consider thermal generation, solar power and other sources as it works towards electricity access across the country, including rural areas.

Türkiye backs longer-term energy cooperation

Energy is also covered by a cooperation framework signed by The Gambia and Türkiye last year.

Oba said the agreement covers several areas of the energy sector and is not limited to electricity generation. Turkish companies have shown interest in renewable energy projects, while oil exploration could also attract investment.

He said such projects would take time because they require large financial resources and careful planning.

"In the energy sector, nothing is quick," he said.

The ambassador's comments place Karpowership among several options available to The Gambia as it tries to improve electricity supply. He said the country would have to continue considering different sources of power as it works towards nationwide access.

"Everything can happen. Everything can be deployed quickly," he said.

Oba is leaving The Gambia for a new posting in Sudan after two and a half years in the country. He said his departure would not end his relationship with The Gambia.

"The Gambia has given a lot to me, so I will be happy to try to give something back to the people of the country," he said.

He also said cooperation between Türkiye and The Gambia would continue, with energy among the areas covered by the relationship.