Gambia: Banjul Residents Stage Candlelight Protest Over Prolonged Power Outage

Residents of Gambia’s capital Banjul staged a candlelight protest on Monday night over a prolonged electricity outage, with demonstrators calling for an end to what they described as persistent power cuts.

Videos seen by Energy News Africa showed residents carrying candles through parts of the capital and chanting, “Bring back power, we are tired of the darkness.”

Some protesters also shouted, “Banjulians deserve better,” reflecting growing frustration over unreliable electricity supplies.

Power was unavailable in several parts of the Greater Banjul Area on Monday, disrupting households and businesses and prompting renewed public concern about the country’s electricity supply.

The protest came days after President Adama Barrow said his government was working to address the country’s electricity challenges. Barrow has also announced the arrival of three power generators as part of efforts to strengthen electricity supply.

The government has repeatedly pointed to investments and other interventions in the energy sector while acknowledging continuing challenges with power generation and supply.

Electricity becomes election issue

The electricity crisis is also emerging as a major political issue ahead of Gambia’s presidential election scheduled for December 2026.

Coalition 2026 flagbearer Talib Ahmed Bensouda criticised the government’s handling of the electricity crisis at a rally in Brikama on Sunday, accusing Barrow of failing to resolve the country’s power problems since taking office in 2017.

Bensouda has proposed liberalising the electricity sector and eventually selling the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) to private operators, arguing that they could run the utility more efficiently.

The government has defended its record of investment in the energy sector, while opposition politicians have pointed to continued outages as evidence that further action is needed.

Gambia has significantly expanded electricity access in recent years, with access now estimated at around 90%, but the country remains dependent on electricity imports through the regional power system, adding to the challenges of maintaining a stable supply.

The latest protest underscores the growing pressure on the government to deliver more reliable electricity as the country heads towards the 2026 presidential election.