The Gambia has set an ambitious target: nearly universal electricity access within the next two years. The government plans to raise national electrification to 90 percent by the end of 2025 and achieve full coverage by the close of 2026, according to Minister of Petroleum, Energy and Mines Nani Juwara.
Current electrification stands at roughly 75 percent. While progress has been steady, closing the remaining gap requires moving away from costly heavy fuel oil-based generation toward regional solutions that reduce costs and improve reliability.
Smaller West African economies are increasingly leveraging shared infrastructure and neighbouring resources to overcome structural energy constraints.
Domestically, The Gambia has committed up to $500 million in local financing to extend electricity connections to underserved communities, particularly in Niamina East and Lower Saloum. Support from development partners, including the ECOWAS Renewable Energy Access Project (ECORIB), will help connect nearly 400 communities across the Central and Lower River Regions by the end of 2025.
While these initiatives tackle last-mile access, the backbone of The Gambia’s energy strategy lies in regional integration. The West African Power Pool (WAPP) links 14 national grids, enabling cross-border electricity trade. This approach allows The Gambia to import electricity from lower-cost producers rather than relying solely on domestic generation.
For a country where electricity tariffs average $0.23 per kilowatt-hour due to dependence on imported fuel oil, regional power access could be transformative. The World Bank estimates that effective regional electricity trade in West Africa could yield annual savings of $5 billion to $8 billion.
Transmission projects under the Gambia River Basin Development Organization (OMVG) have strengthened interconnections, improving supply from the Greater Banjul Area to eastern towns like Basse.
The Gambia’s energy outlook is also shaped by new offshore gas developments in Senegal and Mauritania. The Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) project, which recently entered production, holds more than 400 billion cubic metres of recoverable gas.
Senegal has begun commissioning gas-fired power plants, including the 300 MW Cap des Biches combined-cycle station, shifting away from oil-based generation. For The Gambia, proximity to this emerging gas hub offers a cleaner, more reliable alternative to fuel oil imports while mitigating exposure to global oil price volatility.
Officials see natural gas as a pragmatic bridge fuel that supports economic growth and reduces emissions compared with diesel or heavy fuel oil. The Gambia’s strategy combines short-term reliance on regional electricity imports with a gradual shift toward domestic gas and renewable generation.
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Authorities plan to update the Electricity Sub-Sector Strategic Roadmap by December 2025, integrating variable renewable energy sources, competitive procurement mechanisms, and lessons from prior implementation gaps.
Analysts note that the plan illustrates the growing importance of regionalism in African power systems. Smaller economies can achieve faster and more affordable electrification by tapping into shared infrastructure and regional markets, especially where hydropower, gas, and solar potential are unevenly distributed.
If successful, The Gambia’s approach could bring electricity to more than 600,000 people currently without power, stabilise tariffs, and improve supply reliability. Beyond national impact, the initiative demonstrates how coordinated regional planning can unlock efficiencies and scale that single countries cannot achieve alone.
The Gambia’s experience may serve as a model for other small states seeking universal electricity access without unsustainable costs or environmental burden.
By Thuita Gatero, Managing Editor, Africa Digest News. He specializes in conversations around data centers, AI, cloud infrastructure, and energy.
