By Kebba Ansu Manneh
In the days leading up to and following Eidul Adha (Tobaski) 2026, many Gambian families expected moments of light and relief. Instead, households across the Greater Banjul Area, Kanifing, West Coast Region, and beyond endured prolonged blackouts, spoiled food, closed businesses, and mounting frustration. An exclusive investigation by The Alkamba Times (TAT) reveals a perfect storm of long-overdue maintenance failures on domestic generators, heavy reliance on foreign power supplies that have now been curtailed, and a utility seemingly caught flat-footed despite repeated warnings.
At the center of the crisis is the Kotu Power Station, historically the anchor of national electricity supply. Multiple insiders at the station, speaking anonymously out of fear of repercussions, told TAT that the facility is effectively at “ground zero.” At its peak, Kotu delivered over 30 megawatts, powering large sections of Banjul and Kanifing Municipality as well as parts of Brikama. Today, sources claim virtually no generators are operational on the national grid.
Insiders allege that since the Barrow administration assumed office, routine maintenance and servicing of Kotu’s engines have been virtually non-existent. Instead of prioritizing upkeep of these critical assets, the focus shifted to power imports from Senegal (Senelec), Karpowership (now reportedly ended), and the OMVG/WAPP regional network. “We have been gambling with the nation’s backbone,” one long-serving engineer said. “The government preferred short-term imports over maintaining what we own.”
Brikama Power Stations Tell a Parallel Story of Decay
The situation mirrors challenges at Brikama. Power Station Number 3, commissioned by former Vice President Aja Fatoumatta Jallow Tambajang, has reportedly produced no electricity for approximately five years. Efforts by NAWEC engineers to integrate it into the grid have repeatedly failed, resulting in its effective abandonment.
At Brikama Power Stations 1 and 2, which once generated 13 MW and 5 MW respectively, combined output has reportedly fallen to around 7 MW. This collapse has hit the West Coast Region (WCR) and parts of KMC particularly hard, causing unprecedented outages for many residents.
NAWEC staff who spoke with TAT expressed deep disappointment. Most generators are long overdue for maintenance, yet domestic capacity has been allowed to erode. The over-dependence on external supplies, they warn, creates a dangerous vulnerability: if imports are further reduced or suspended, the country risks a total blackout.
Senegal Slashes Supply
TAT investigations confirm a sharp reduction in power from Senelec. The utility, which had been supplying up to 50 MW under a power purchase agreement, has cut deliveries to around 25 MW amid payment arrears and its own load-shedding to prioritize Senegalese consumers during the Eid period. NAWEC insiders corroborated this, noting that regional technical issues and fuel shortages in the OMVG network have compounded the problem, with imports reportedly dropping by as much as 60 MW at times.
This external dependence has proven costly and unreliable. Recent NAWEC statements acknowledge a national generation shortfall, with total available capacity around 78 MW (roughly 24-26 MW local + imports) against a peak demand of 106 MW.
Official Response: Denial and Damage Control
TAT reached out to Buba Badgie, NAWEC’s Communication Officer. He strongly disputed claims of total shutdowns. “It is not true that all generators at Kotu and Brikama Power Plant 3 are down,” Badgie said. He acknowledged that two engines were running while others were undergoing scheduled maintenance and described the import drop as temporary while technical issues were being addressed. Badgie also rejected reports of a drastic cut from 50 MW to 25 MW by Senelec, urging citizens to rely on official updates.
Recent NAWEC briefings acknowledge the crisis but note ongoing rehabilitation efforts, including plans to bring additional units online to reach 50 MW of domestic capacity and the recent restoration of some generators. Critics, however, view many official releases as attempts to downplay systemic neglect.
The Human and Economic Cost
The impact on ordinary Gambians has been severe. Foday Jammeh, who operates two tailoring shops in Serekunda, told TAT he suspended business before Tobaski. “No power means no machines, no income,” he said. Residents in Kanifing, Serekunda, Bakau, Brusubi, and greater Banjul report similar hardships: inability to store perishables, disrupted daily life, and heightened expenses from diesel generators.
A trained Economist and now an opposition leader, Dr. Ousman Gajigo summarised the broader damage: “The unreliable electricity supply has a hugely negative effect on the economy. Many businesses face higher costs from backup generators, affecting output, profitability, and employment.” Small businesses suffer most, as they cannot afford alternatives. The manufacturing sector, already struggling, faces further setbacks, while poor infrastructure deters foreign investment. “This will slow growth, raise unemployment, worsen inflation, and hinder economic diversification,” Dr. Gajigo said.
A Crisis Years in the Making
TAT’s findings point to a pattern of deferred maintenance and policy choices that prioritized imports over self-reliance. While NAWEC and the government promise improvements by mid-June 2026 through repairs and regional recovery, insiders fear the underlying issues — aging infrastructure, financial strains, and lack of proactive investment — remain unresolved.
As Gambians endure the darkness, fundamental questions persist: Why were domestic generators allowed to deteriorate so severely? How sustainable is reliance on neighbors amid their own pressures? And when will genuine, long-term investments in local capacity deliver the reliable power citizens desperately need?
