By: Fatou Dahaba
The Government of The Gambia on Friday signed contracts with Alpha TND and Power Factor Ltd to extend electricity to 241 remaining unelectrified communities in the Central River Region and Upper River Region, in a fully budget-financed push to close rural access gaps.
The agreements, signed on 25 September 2026, cover 148 communities in CRR and 93 in URR. Officials described the scheme as a life-changing intervention for households, schools, health centers and small businesses that have long remained off the national grid.
Minister of Petroleum, Energy and Mines Nani Juwara said the project is financed entirely from the national budget and reflects President Adama Barrow’s pledge that no community should be left behind in the country’s electrification drive. He said the works will extend medium-voltage lines, distribution transformers, and low-voltage networks across Sandu, Wuli, Tumana, Kantora, Basse, and Jimara in URR, and Lower and Upper Fulladu, Niani, Nianija, Nyamina East, and Nyamina West in CRR.
“The President is fulfilling his promise to the people,” Juwara said, recalling appeals made by residents during the February 2026 inauguration of more than 700 newly electrified communities. Although the contracts run for 18 months, he said the government expects visible construction to be completed within 12 months.
He urged the contractors to meet agreed technical standards, reject substandard materials and create jobs for young people in the beneficiary regions. “We advise the implementation of the project to ensure that the agreed technical standards are met: no substandard poles, no undersized cables, and proper earthing of all the medium-voltage poles,” he said.
Deputy Managing Director of NAWEC Sampo Ceesay called the signing another milestone toward universal electricity access. He said the project, awarded through international competitive bidding, will deliver about 377 kilometers of medium-voltage lines and 219 distribution transformers across the 241 communities.
Ceesay said the investment complements earlier donor-supported access programs and shows the government’s readiness to finance strategic infrastructure directly. He added that new connections must be matched by stronger generation, transmission and distribution so that newly served communities receive a reliable supply.
Representing Alpha TND, Animesh said Lot One covers 148 villages, including about 223 kilometers of medium-voltage lines and 165 kilometers of low-voltage lines. He pledged quality work and timely delivery.
For Power Factor Ltd, in-country coordinator Leke Oluwole said Lot Two covers 93 communities and includes the design, manufacture, testing, delivery, installation, completion and commissioning of the required transmission and distribution facilities. He said the firm would mobilize quickly and execute the works safely within the agreed timeframe.
Once complete, officials said the project should open new economic and social opportunities in some of the country’s most underserved rural areas, advancing The Gambia’s goal of nationwide electricity access.
