President Adama Barrow on Monday night addressed the nation on The Gambia’s worsening electricity crisis, acknowledging widespread hardship while pledging that supply will improve by the end of October.
Speaking from State House, Barrow said he was “duty-bound” to explain the causes, government action and what citizens should expect. He described homes without fans, children studying in darkness, spoiled food and unbearable heat, adding that the situation was not what he wished for Gambians.
“This is why I have not rested in searching for solutions, day and night, with my Ministers, with the Management of NAWEC, and with our partners,” he said.
Barrow placed the crisis in a regional context. The West African Power Pool has reported similar blackouts across neighboring countries. Record demand, simultaneous failures of major generating units and reduced output from the OMVG hydropower scheme have strained the grid. “Tonight, families across our neighbouring countries sit in the same darkness as we do here in The Gambia,” he said.
He admitted shortcomings in planning, generation and maintenance. The government is in the final stage of installing a 24-megawatt generator at Brikama Power Station, which Barrow visited on Monday. It is due to be commissioned by the end of October and, he said, will make “a big difference.” A 50 MW solar plant in Soma has also been contracted, with the company mobilising to start work. Solar will ease daytime load so thermal plants can run at night, when demand peaks.
A Presidential Task Force on Electricity Supply, chaired by the Vice President, will report to Barrow and issue public updates every two weeks. Engineers are working around the clock at the plants, he said.
Barrow highlighted progress on access: electricity coverage rose from 36 per cent in 2017 to about 90 per cent today, bringing power to communities that previously had none. He appealed to citizens not to vandalise transformers, lines or other infrastructure in frustration, warning that damage would deepen suffering and divert scarce resources.
“Let us not destroy in a moment of anger what we suffered so long to gain,” he said. He also urged restraint to protect national peace and the country’s international standing.
Barrow declined to make promises the government cannot keep but committed that “the electricity supply situation in the country will improve by the end of October 2026.” He asked Gambians to be patient, mindful of the sick, elderly and children, and to support efforts to fix the problem permanently.
“Your engineers are awake, the Government is awake, and your President is awake with you,” he said. “We will not rest until there is light in your homes.”
