By: Fatou Dahaba
In collaboration with the World Bank Group, the Gambia hosted the fifth Annual Forum of Chief Economists of Government (CEOG) at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center in Bijilo. The event convened economists, senior government officials, and development partners from across Africa and beyond to discuss strategies for fostering inclusive and sustainable economic growth under the theme “Powering Africa’s Future: Energy Access and Financing Options.”
The forum addressed the critical issue of energy access, a cornerstone for economic growth, job creation, and prosperity across the African continent. Vice President Muhammed BS Jallow emphasized The Gambia’s progress in expanding electricity access, which has risen from 56% in 2017 to 74% in 2024, aligning with the country’s National Development Blueprint (Yiriwaa) and its Energy Sector Roadmap. He reiterated the government’s commitment to achieving universal electricity access ahead of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of 2030, supported by the World Bank-approved Gambia Infrastructure Project.
Despite these gains, VP Jallow acknowledged challenges in ensuring reliable and affordable electricity, which impacts economic growth and private sector competitiveness. “The Government of The Gambia is committed to working with partners to address challenges facing the electricity sector and create an enabling environment for private sector development,” he said. He highlighted the draft Compact under the Mission 300 Framework, which aims to address structural issues in the energy sector and boost private sector participation.
Jallow also stressed the broader African context, noting that limited access to financing hinders energy development. “Africa cannot solely rely on external financing for key developments like energy,” he said, advocating for better coordination and mobilization of domestic resources through taxes and private capital to drive the continent’s development agenda.
Seedy Keita, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, emphasized the importance of innovative financing in bridging public funding gaps. “Powering The Gambia’s and Africa’s future requires bold leadership, innovative finance, and strong partnerships,” he said. Keita called for collaboration among governments, development partners, investors, and the international community to build resilient energy systems that empower communities, protect the environment, and promote inclusive growth. “Energy is not just about electricity; it is about opportunity, dignity, and a better future for all,” he added.
Franklin Mutahakana, World Bank Country Representative, highlighted the stark energy access challenges in sub-Saharan Africa, where millions lack electricity, hindering economic advancement. He commended initiatives like Mission 300, which supports electrification across generation, transmission, and distribution. These efforts have led to significant milestones in The Gambia, including commissioning the country’s first large-scale utility solar park, a 225 kV high-voltage transmission line, and electricity access for over 700 new communities.
Andrew Dabalen, the World Bank’s Chief Economist, emphasized the persistent energy inequality between Africa and the rest of the world. “Closing that gap will be tremendously important for African development,” he said. He noted that the CEOG fosters a real-time network for exchanging ideas and solutions to address this challenge.
Klaus Botzet, German Ambassador to The Gambia, praised the CEOG as a unique platform that brings together chief economists from 43 African countries to shape evidence-based policies grounded in regional cooperation and national ownership. “Evidence-based policy is the key to progress and development,” he remarked, affirming Germany’s support for the initiative.
The forum underscored the urgency of addressing Africa’s energy challenges through collaborative efforts, innovative financing, and sustainable policies. As discussions concluded, participants expressed optimism that the CEOG would continue to drive actionable solutions, ensuring energy access catalyzes economic transformation across the continent.
