𝐍𝐀𝐖𝐄𝐂 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐀 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐮𝐫𝐞 — 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐄𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐬

NAWEC May Cost A Government Failure — Prince Ebrahim Sanyang Warns

Gambia | Tuesday 26 May 2026

Prominent Gambian development economist and international structured finance expert, Prince Ebrahim Sanyang, has warned that the worsening crisis at NAWEC poses a serious economic and political risk to the government if urgent reforms are not undertaken.

Prince Ebrahim Sanyang

In a strongly worded statement, Sanyang highlighted persistent nationwide power outages, poor infrastructure, high electricity import costs, weak fuel procurement systems, and inadequate long-term planning within the country’s energy sector.

He recalled his role in facilitating the entry of Chinese electricity transmission giant TBEA into The Gambia in 2016 through high-level diplomatic and commercial engagements aimed at supporting the rehabilitation and expansion of NAWEC’s transmission infrastructure.

According to him, while significant opportunities existed to strengthen the country’s energy sector, institutional inefficiencies and poor strategic continuity continue to undermine sustainable progress.

Sanyang called on government to undertake a comprehensive review of NAWEC’s leadership and operational structure, including possible board and management restructuring to ensure competent and results-driven leadership.

He also urged authorities to seriously consider transparent privatisation models, strategic public-private partnerships (PPPs), and sustainable investment mechanisms capable of delivering reliable electricity and water services to Gambians.

“NAWEC’s institutional incapacity can no longer be brushed under the carpet. It is a ticking time bomb with profound economic, social, and political consequences,” he warned.

He further stated that expanding national electrification without ensuring sustainable generation, transmission, and distribution capacity risks undermining the government’s broader development agenda.

“Access without reliability cannot drive industrialisation, economic growth, or public confidence,” he added.

Prince Ebrahim Sanyang concluded by urging national leaders to prioritize competence, patriotism, and inclusive citizen participation in addressing The Gambia’s energy challenges.

“Let us place The Gambia first. Time is of the essence.”

Gambians are currently experiencing erractic power cuts on a daily basis with some areas going 12 hours without power as NAWEC continue load shedding amid widening gaps in electricity consumption requirements and the utility company’s power generating capacity.

Consumers are worried about damage to appliances, food items as the country prepares to observe the Tobaski feast.