By Momodou Gagigo
As Muslims across The Gambia gear up for the joyous celebrations of Tobaski, persistent electricity blackouts are turning what should be a time of anticipation and festivity into a period of mounting frustration and economic hardship in the Greater Banjul Area.
Residents in Serrekunda, Latrikunda, Tabokoto, Abuko, and surrounding communities are bearing the brunt of prolonged power disruptions blamed on the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC). With the holy feast just days away, many families find their final preparations stalled, unable to iron clothes, charge mobile phones, or complete essential household tasks that require a stable power supply.
The impact has been particularly severe on small businesses that thrive during this peak season. Beauty salons, makeup studios, and tailoring shops — critical to helping families look their best for Tobaski — are operating far below capacity. Women and young girls hoping to get their hair done or makeup applied have been left disappointed as salons struggle without reliable power.
“We have customers waiting, but there is no stable current to work with,” said Fatou Jawo, a makeup artist in Serrekunda. “People want to look good for Tobaski, but this situation is making everything difficult.”
Tailors are among the hardest hit. Sewing machines sit idle for hours, production schedules have fallen behind, and tensions are rising between artisans and anxious clients worried their outfits won’t be ready in time.
“People are crying and complaining because their clothes are not ready. We are also frustrated because we want to work, but the electricity keeps going out,” explained Jama Ceesay, a tailor in Latrikunda. “Just now, one of my customers called me complaining.”
Mafugy Fatty, a fashion designer and owner of Fugi’s Fashion, captured the daily struggle with characteristic candor. “NAWEC said survival of the fittest because how are we supposed to finish clothes with a machine, an iron, a fan, and sweat all fighting together? One minute, light is there; the next, everywhere dark, as if we had offended somebody. Customers are asking, ‘Is my cloth ready?’ My brother, even the sewing machine is tired.”
Fatty added pointedly: “In this, our small country, the real enemy is not even the customers anymore… It’s electricity.”
The outages come at a time when electricity demand is at its highest, as families seek to make the most of the festive period. Sheik Tijan Sowe, a popular content creator and fashion shop owner in Latrikunda, described the situation as a “total business breakdown.”
“Since yesterday, we haven’t had light,” Sowe said. “There are tailors, hairdressers, and makeup artists, and without electricity, we cannot work. This is very common during periods of high electricity demand. We call on NAWEC to come to our aid, especially during this period, since it is the time most family men try to make a living.”
Sowe urged authorities to learn from neighbors. “The Gambia should imitate our neighboring countries like Senegal, where electricity is always stable.”
For many small business owners who depend on the Tobaski rush for vital income, the blackouts are pushing them toward financial strain. Some fear lost revenue and damaged customer relationships that could take months to repair.
Residents across affected areas are demanding urgent action from NAWEC, including better communication about restoration timelines and long-term solutions to the country’s chronic power challenges.
As the countdown to Tobaski continues, tailors and service providers continue showing up daily, battling power cuts, sweltering heat, tired machines, and impatient clients. Their resilience highlights both the determination of Gambian entrepreneurs and the urgent need for reliable electricity infrastructure to support everyday life and festive seasons alike.
