ECOWAS Regional Electricity Access Project Inaugurates Projects in The Gambia, Set to Connect 52,000 New Households to Power. By Raymond Enoch
President Adama Barrow has inaugurated a landmark electricity infrastructure delivered under the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Access Project (ECOWAS-REAP), describing the initiative as one of the most consequential achievements in The Gambia’s development history.
The inauguration was kick kick srarted at Njongon, marks the beginning of a nationwide rollout of completed electricity facilities across five lmm the country.
The series of ceremonies, scheduled to run through February 15, 2026, is being implemented by the Ministry of Petroleum, Energy and Mines in collaboration with the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC), with support from regional and international development partners.
Declaring the programme open, President Barrow said the project represents a decisive turning point in the country’s quest for universal energy access, stressing that reliable electricity remains a cornerstone for economic growth, social inclusion and improved quality of life.
He described ECOWAS-REAP as an “unprecedented achievement in The Gambia,” noting that years of sustained collaboration with donors and regional institutions had finally translated into tangible benefits for ordinary citizens, particularly those in rural and underserved communities.
According to the President, the impact of the project is already evident in national statistics.
He disclosed that The Gambia’s electricity access rate has surged from 73 per cent to 90 per cent under ECOWAS-REAP, a leap he said signals a transformative moment in the nation’s development journey.
The expanded network is expected to connect about 52,000 new households to the national grid, opening doors to improved healthcare delivery, better educational outcomes, enhanced security and new opportunities for small businesses and agro-based enterprises.
President Barrow emphasised that beyond lighting homes, the project will help reduce energy poverty, stimulate local economies and slow rural-urban migration by making village life more sustainable.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to consolidating the gains of the project and ensuring that electricity infrastructure is efficiently managed and expanded to meet growing demand.
Officials of the Ministry of Petroleum, Energy and Mines and NAWEC said the newly inaugurated facilities form part of a broader regional push by ECOWAS to deepen electricity access, strengthen cross-border cooperation and accelerate socio-economic development across West Africa.
They noted that ECOWAS-REAP aligns with national energy policies aimed at achieving near-universal access while laying the foundation for industrial growth and digital inclusion.
As the inauguration tour continues across the country, expectations remain high that the new electricity infrastructure will not only power homes but also energise The Gambia’s ambitions for inclusive growth, resilience and shared prosperity.
