The Key Strategic Objective is to upgrade and expand The Gambia’s national power grid to international technical and safety standards. i.e.

• Increase electricity generation capacity by investing in large-scale, sustainable, and diversified power sources.
• Explore the privatization or third-party management of NAWEC (National Water and Electricity Company) through performance-based contracts with global utility experts.
• Partner with international institutions, investors and donor countries to fund and support energy infrastructure projects.
• Prioritize rural electrification and ensure equitable distribution of power across all regions of the country.
• Promote renewable energy (solar, wind, hydro) and reduce dependence on expensive imported fuel.

Strategic Pillars of the Electricity Reform Plan

1. Grid Modernization and Infrastructure Upgrade:

• The NBP will conduct a nationwide audit and technical assessment of existing electricity infrastructure, identifying high-priority repair and replacement areas.
• Install a modern, digitally integrated national grid with smart metering systems, automatic fault detection, and load-balancing capabilities.
• Replace outdated transmission lines and substations to reduce energy loss and improve safety.
• Establish regional substations and distribution hubs to serve growing urban and rural populations efficiently.

2. Increase Generation Capacity through Strategic Partnerships i.e.

• Invite qualified foreign energy companies with proven expertise in large-scale power generation to participate in a competitive bidding process for the management or partial ownership of NAWEC.
• Negotiate public-private partnerships (PPPs) with global firms for the construction and operation of new thermal, hydro, and solar power plants if necessary.
• Develop Independent Power Producer (IPP) frameworks to allow private investment in energy generation under government regulation and oversight.
• Expand base-load power generation through cost-effective thermal plants while also encouraging low-carbon alternatives.

3. The NBP will ensure  Rural Electrification and Equitable Access by:

• Implementing the National Rural Electrification Program (NREP) with the goal of powering every village in The Gambia within ten years.
• Provide targeted subsidies for low-income rural households to access electricity through community-level infrastructure or microgrids.
• Partner with community cooperatives and local government authorities to maintain off-grid systems and ensure local participation.

4. Energy Diversification and Renewable Investment: The NBP will launch the Gambia Green Energy Initiative to diversify the country’s energy mix with a goal of sourcing at least 30% of national power from renewables by 2035. This goal will be achieved through;

• Incentivizing solar power adoption through tax breaks, grants, and financing support for residential and commercial users.
• Collaborate with international institutions like the World Bank, African Development Bank, and GIZ (German Agency for International Cooperation) to secure technical assistance and funding for renewable energy projects.
• Explore regional power trade through the West African Power Pool (WAPP) to supplement local production with cross-border electricity imports during peak demand periods.

5. Institutional Reform and Capacity Building

• The NBP will restructure NAWEC to improve efficiency, transparency and accountability, including potential restructuring into separate entities for generation, transmission, and distribution.
• Build local capacity through training programs for engineers, technicians, and utility managers to ensure sustainable in-country expertise.
• Strengthen the regulatory role of PURA (Public Utilities Regulatory Authority) to protect consumers, enforce service standards, and oversee tariff fairness.
• Create a national electricity master plan to guide investment, development, and expansion for the next 25 years.
• Consumer Engagement and Transparent Tariff Policy will be established to Introduce a fair, tiered pricing model that ensures affordability for low-income users while supporting cost recovery for sustainable operations.