The Gambia is experiencing worsening power outages across the Greater Banjul Area and the West Coast Region following a significant reduction in imported electricity supply.
According to National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC), the country has lost up to 60 megawatts of imported electricity due to technical faults and fuel shortages affecting power generation facilities within the regional electricity network.
The utility explained that The Gambia relies heavily on imported electricity through the OMVG/WAPP regional power system, while domestic generation mainly serves as backup during peak demand periods and supply disruptions.
In a statement issued on Saturday, NAWEC said the reduction in imported electricity had severely affected the country’s primary power supply source.
The company further disclosed that domestic backup generation systems are currently unable to fully compensate for the deficit because of ongoing maintenance works, delays at key facilities and operational challenges linked to high fuel costs.
As a result, the country is facing a power deficit exceeding 50 percent of national electricity demand.
Several communities are reportedly experiencing synchronized daily outages, with some areas enduring blackouts lasting more than 10 hours.
The situation has triggered growing public frustration, with residents criticizing both NAWEC and the government over continued power supply challenges.
NAWEC, however, assured the public that efforts are underway to stabilize the electricity system through the restoration of backup generation capacity, increased engagement with suppliers and continuous monitoring of network performance.
The utility indicated that electricity supply could gradually improve by mid-June 2026, depending on the restoration of regional imports and the completion of ongoing maintenance works.
NAWEC stressed that the current crisis is temporary and largely driven by regional and operational challenges rather than a structural failure of the country’s electricity system.
The company apologized to customers for the inconvenience caused and reaffirmed its commitment to restoring stable electricity supply while continuing to provide updates on developments.