The Gambia: Barrow Pledges To End Power Outages Within Two Years

The Gambia’s President, H.E. Adama Barrow, has stated that the intermittent power supply affecting the country will end within the next two years, assuring citizens that ongoing investments in the energy sector will deliver a more reliable electricity supply nationwide.

The Greater Banjul Area and the West Coast Region are currently experiencing power outages due to what officials of the country’s electricity provider, NAWEC, describe as a reduction in power imports from the regional power grid.

President Barrow, who is seeking re-election in the general election later this year, has faced criticism from opposition parties over the persistent power supply challenges.

Speaking at a National People’s Party (NPP) rally in Brikama over the weekend, Barrow addressed growing public concerns over recent blackouts and water shortages, which have drawn criticism from opposition figures and residents alike.

He defended his government’s record, arguing that no administration since independence has invested more in improving electricity generation and distribution.

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“I can confidently say that since The Gambia gained independence, no government has done as much to improve electricity supply as this government,” he told supporters.

He attributed the recent nationwide outages to technical problems rather than systemic failures, stressing that such disruptions can occur even in advanced countries.

“The recent electricity problems were caused by technical issues, which can happen anywhere,” he said.

Barrow, however, maintained that the challenges are temporary and promised that Gambians would soon begin to see the benefits of ongoing investments in the energy sector.

“I want to assure the nation that within the next two years, electricity outages will become a thing of the past,” he declared.

He said his administration remains committed to expanding infrastructure, including electricity, roads, and water systems, as part of its broader development agenda.

His remarks come at a time when electricity supply has emerged as a major political issue ahead of the presidential election, with opposition parties and civil society groups demanding lasting solutions to recurring power cuts.

Barrow urged Gambians to support the continuation of the NPP government, arguing that sustained progress in electricity, water, and infrastructure development depends on the implementation of his administration’s long-term plans.