The Government of The Gambia has signed contracts with Alpha TND and Power Factor Limited to extend electricity access to 241 communities in the Central River Region (CRR) and Upper River Region (URR). The signing ceremony took place Friday at Petroleum House, Turntable, under a government-funded electricity access project.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Petroleum, Energy and Mines, Hon. Nani Juwara, said the project is financed through the national budget as part of government’s commitment to achieving universal electricity access. He revealed that an additional $50 million has been secured from the World Bank to extend electricity to remaining unserved communities nationwide.
The Minister urged the contractors to deliver on time and to employ young people from beneficiary regions as part of their local content obligations. He also called on the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) to supervise implementation to ensure technical standards are met.
Deputy Managing Director of NAWEC, Sompo Ceesay, explained that the project, worth approximately $14 million, will involve the construction of 377 kilometers of medium-voltage lines and installation of 219 distribution transformers. This will expand electricity access to 241 communities across CRR and URR. He noted that the investment builds on earlier projects inaugurated in February 2026, which covered more than 700 communities nationwide with support from partners including the World Bank, European Union, EIB, and African Development Bank.
Mr. Ceesay emphasised that expanding access must be accompanied by increased generation capacity and improvements to transmission and distribution networks to ensure reliability.
Representing Power Factor Limited, Eluwole Ceke James said the company will undertake the design, manufacture, testing, delivery, installation, and commissioning of the required infrastructure. He highlighted that the project will support businesses, education, healthcare, and socioeconomic development in beneficiary communities.
The new initiative will cover 93 communities in URR and 148 in CRR, including Sandu, Wuli, Tumana, Kantora, Basse, Jimara, Lower and Upper Fuladu, Sami, Niani, and Niamina East and West. The 18-month project will extend medium-voltage lines, install distribution transformers, and construct low-voltage distribution networks.
Government expects the project to boost economic activity and improve living standards across CRR and URR, marking another step toward universal electricity access in The Gambia
