The Gambian government has attributed ongoing acute electricity shortages across parts of the country to regional supply disruptions, technical faults, and reduced imports under a West African power cooperation framework, as widespread blackouts continue to affect urban areas.
Authorities said power outages lasting more than 24 hours in the Greater Banjul Area and other urban centres are linked to external challenges affecting electricity imports and domestic generation capacity.
In a statement issued through the Ministry of Information, the government said the crisis is being addressed through a combination of interventions, new investments, and regional coordination under the Organisation for the Development of the Gambia River Basin (OMVG) energy project.
The state-owned utility NAWEC said the shortages stem from technical disruptions within supply sources in neighbouring Senegal and Guinea, which form part of the regional interconnection system supplying electricity to The Gambia.
According to NAWEC, electricity imports have been reduced by up to 60 megawatts due to technical issues and fuel shortages affecting generation facilities within the regional network, creating a significant gap in supply.
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The company said domestic backup generation capacity has also been constrained, as some facilities are undergoing maintenance while others face operational limitations.
A technical fault at one of the country’s substations has further worsened the situation, although repair work is currently underway, the utility added.
NAWEC warned that the combined disruptions have led to a shortfall exceeding 50 percent of national electricity demand, resulting in prolonged outages and load shedding across the country.
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Officials said they expect a gradual return to more stable electricity supply by mid-June as repairs are completed and regional imports are restored.
The crisis has triggered growing public frustration, particularly in the Greater Banjul Area, where households and businesses have reportedly experienced less than six hours of electricity supply per day over the past two weeks.
Consumers have criticised the government for what they describe as inadequate management of the energy and water sector, especially during the Eid-Adha holiday period, when demand for electricity typically rises.
In response, the Ministry of Information said it was concerned about what it described as the spread of misinformation and politically motivated narratives regarding the power situation.
The ministry accused some critics of exploiting temporary shortages to undermine public confidence, while insisting that government remains committed to transparency and accountability.
It also defended the administration of President Adama Barrow, saying significant progress has been made in expanding electricity access and modernising energy infrastructure in recent years.
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However, energy analysts note that The Gambia remains heavily dependent on imported electricity under regional arrangements, leaving it vulnerable to supply disruptions in neighbouring systems.
The current crisis highlights ongoing structural challenges in West Africa’s interconnected energy networks, where technical failures or fuel shortages in one country can quickly affect supply stability across the region.
Authorities say they are working with regional partners to restore normal supply levels and reduce the impact on consumers in the coming weeks.
