Gambia: ECOWAS Applauds The Gambia For Timely Achievement Of Universal Electricity Access

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission has hailed the President of The Gambia, Adama Barrow, for taking bold leadership in implementing the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Access Project (ECOREAP), outpacing other countries in providing reliable and sustainable electricity.

Since Saturday, February 7, 2026, President Barrow, alongside the Minister for Petroleum, Energy and Mines, Nani Juwara, the Managing Director of the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC), and representatives of development partners, has been travelling across the country to inaugurate electricity access projects benefiting 719 communities nationwide.

The projects, funded by multilateral development partners including the World Bank, the European Union, the European Investment Bank, and the African Development Bank Group, are being implemented through initiatives such as the Gambia Electricity Restoration and Modernisation Project (GERMP), the Gambia Electricity Access Project (GEAP), and the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Access Project (ECOREAP). They cover the North Bank Region, Central River Region–North, Upper River Region–North, and Upper River Region–South.

The inauguration ceremonies, held daily from 16:00 to 19:00, are expected to conclude on Sunday, February 15, 2026.

The President first turned on the switch at Njongon, setting the tone for the nationwide inauguration of the projects, symbolizing progress, development, and improved livelihoods for communities across the country.

Commenting on the development, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, on behalf of ECOWAS, applauded President Barrow’s leadership, noting that The Gambia is the first country in the sub-region to reach the electrification target.

The World Bank representative, Franklin Muntahakana, also praised The Gambia’s progress, stating, “The country is closer to achieving universal access.”

The Gambia has recorded steady progress in expanding electricity access—particularly in rural areas—with national electrification currently estimated at about 75 percent.

The newly completed projects support the country’s ambition to achieve universal electricity access by late 2026 and are expected to further stimulate socio-economic development.