‘World Bank committed to transformation of Gambia’s energy sector’
By Sulayman Waan
Matarr Touray, the World Bank representative in The Gambia, has announced that the World Bank is dedicated to the transformation of the energy sector in the country.
“The World Bank Group has been, and will continue to be, a trusted partner to the Government of The Gambia. With a combined portfolio of over $200 million, the Bank remains committed to ensuring the transformation of the energy sector,” he stated at a bidders’ conference held at the conference centre.
Touray, an energy specialist at the World Bank, outlined the strategic focus of the Bank’s support, which is based on three key pillars: Universal Access, Regional Integration, and the integration of low-cost generation sources, alongside an operationally efficient utility.
He emphasised that the significant progress made across all three pillars reflects the commitment and ownership of the government in the reform process.
Regarding universal access, he said, the Gambia is on track to achieve 90% access by the end of 2025 following the completion of active projects.
On regional integration, he went on, the Gambia serves as a model for the immense potential of interconnected networks, adding: “The National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) has progressed from severe capacity deficits in 2017 to successfully meeting peak demand through various energy sources.”
“Moreover, the deployment of prepaid meters to a majority of customers has resulted in collection efficiencies exceeding 97%. Since 2020, the energy sector has seen an unparalleled demand growth of 8% per annum, outpacing the average GDP growth of 4.5%.”
Touray added: “With a design capacity of 50 MWp, this plant is crucial in accelerating The Gambia’s transition from a utility that was entirely dependent on heavy fuel oil to a more diversified energy strategy.”
He highlighted the recently completed 23 MWp Jambur Solar Park, supported by the World Bank, the European Investment Bank, and the European Union, as a testament to the importance of solar energy within the national energy mix.
“This process marks a significant evolution in the implementation of the electricity roadmap, particularly regarding the substantial contributions from the private sector. The Bank has facilitated the development of feasibility studies and the recruitment of transaction advisors to ensure a successful and transparent tender process as they work towards a commercial and financial close.”
“The International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MiGA) are on hand to discuss with prospective bidders the available products to support them throughout this process,” he added.
He congratulated the Gambian government for being selected as part of the second cohort of countries, which is a milestone reflecting the significant reforms undertaken in the sector.
Lamin Camara, the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Petroleum, explained that this project is the first phase of the 150 MWp regional solar power park, identified as a priority project in the Strategic Electricity Roadmap approved by the Cabinet in 2021.
“This is the first competitively procured solar photovoltaic Independent Power Producer (IPP) project in the country,” he noted.
“Depending on the outcome of this tender process, the government is prepared to initiate more and larger solar power projects, including the second phase of the regional solar power park, which is a 100 MWp project,” he stated.
The feasibility studies, tendering, and subsequent negotiations of the power purchase agreement (PPA) and related project agreements for this initiative, he stated, “are supported by the World Bank Group through Technical Assistance for Legal Advisory Services. Additionally, the group is providing PPA payment support through various guarantee schemes.”
SW/COB/19/04/25
