The opposition Gambia For All (GFA) party has raised fresh concerns over the worsening electricity situation in The Gambia, warning that prolonged outages are placing increasing strain on households, businesses and essential services.
In a statement, the party expressed solidarity with citizens affected by the ongoing disruptions, following a recent announcement by the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) confirming a major electricity shortage in April. GFA said the development underscores what it described as the absence of a clear and sustainable energy strategy under President Adama Barrow.
According to the party, the government has focused heavily on expanding electricity distribution networks while failing to significantly increase domestic generation capacity. It argued that extending grid connections without adequate supply has only deepened the crisis, leaving many communities connected but without reliable power.
GFA cited figures indicating that the country generates less than 30 megawatts domestically, while importing more than 50 megawatts from Senegal. It described this as a regression and warned that such dependence exposes the country to external shocks and rising costs.
The statement also criticised what it called costly policy missteps, including the reported $200 million spent on a floating power generator over several years without adding lasting capacity. It linked the energy shortfall to broader economic pressures, including currency depreciation, higher living costs and increasing public debt.
GFA called for urgent reforms, including investment in domestic power generation, particularly renewable energy, as well as comprehensive restructuring of NAWEC. It also urged authorities to ensure that future expansion of the electricity network is aligned with generation capacity.
The party maintained that reliable and affordable electricity is achievable with proper planning and political will, adding that the current crisis highlights the need for decisive leadership and long-term solutions.
