Gambian launches ECOWAS regional electricity access project to power hundreds of communities

On Friday, April 19, 2024, Rohey John Manjang, the Gambian Minister of Environment, Climate Change, and Natural Resources, spearheaded the launch of the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Access Project in Jarra Soma, Lower River Region (LRR). Minister Manjang represented the Honorable Minister of Petroleum and Energy at the inauguration ceremony.

This groundbreaking initiative, funded by a generous grant of approximately US$66 million from the World Bank through ECOWAS, aims to significantly expand electricity access to more than 295 communities across four major Gambian regions: West Coast Region (WCR), Lower River Region (LRR), North Bank Region (NBR), and Central River Region (CRR).

The project’s primary objective is to electrify specific communities within these regions, with a focus on 55 in WCR, 87 in LRR, 93 in NBR, and 60 in CRR. This effort is aligned with The Gambia Government’s ambitious target of achieving universal electricity access nationwide by the end of 2025.

The launch of the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Access Project complements ongoing electrification endeavors in all regions of The Gambia. Collectively, these initiatives aim to bring electricity to approximately 800 communities by December 2024, significantly enhancing quality of life and economic opportunities for thousands of Gambians.

Minister Manjang emphasized the transformative impact of this initiative, highlighting how increased electricity access will enhance healthcare services, education, agriculture, and overall socio-economic development across targeted communities.

The project underscores The Gambia’s commitment to sustainable development and regional cooperation, aligning with ECOWAS’s broader goals of promoting energy security and inclusive growth throughout West Africa.

Local leaders and community representatives expressed gratitude for the project, emphasizing its potential to spur local entrepreneurship and improve living standards.

With the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Access Project now underway, anticipation is high for the positive changes it will bring to Gambian communities in the coming months and years.