Honourable Speaker of National Assembly,

Honourable Cabinet Ministers,

Honourable National Assembly Members,

Secretary to Cabinet and Head of the Civil Service and other Senior Government Officials,

Chief of Staff - Office of the President,

Service Chiefs,

Governors, Chiefs, and Alkalolu,

Members of the Diplomatic Corps,

Distinguished Development Partners,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is with pride and joy that I am here today for the inauguration of this unprecedented electricity access project in the North Bank Region. This event clearly demonstrates my government’s determination to deliver tangible development for every Gambian citizen and community, regardless of region or distance.

As I speak, in Africa, over six hundred and fifty (650) million people still live without access to electricity. This stark reality continues to constrain economic growth, limit social progress, and widen inequality.

In response to this situation, working with development partners, African leaders, have embraced the Mission 300 (M300) Agenda for implementation. This is a bold continental initiative aimed at accelerating electricity access for three hundred (300) million Africans by 2030. The Gambia is proud to be associated with this agenda, not as a passive participant, but as a country determined to lead by example.

For too long, many of our rural communities have lived without electricity. This has resulted in long hours of manual labour by our hard-working womenfolk and limited opportunities for entrepreneurs and businesses.

It is for this reason that children struggle to study by candlelight, outdated lamps, or other sources of light. We are changing this narrative.

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today is a day of hope: hope for better living conditions, dignity, and wider opportunities for our communities. The electricity access project we are inaugurating shortly will bring relief to the people and directly transform the daily lives of the rural families in this region.

I am proud to announce that, through sustained efforts and strong partnerships, seven hundred and nineteen (719) communities across The Gambia have now been electrified, and two hundred and nine (209) of these are from North Bank Region.

This is an unprecedented achievement in The Gambia. It reflects my administration’s firm commitment and strides taken to ensuring that electricity is not a privilege for the few, but a basic service accessible to all Gambians and residents of the country. This achievement also places us solidly on track to achieving universal electricity access by end of 2026, well ahead of the global 2030 target.

With the completion of our ongoing inaugural ceremonies, The Gambia is poised to be among the first countries within ECOWAS to attain universal access to electricity. Our national electrification rate will now rise from seventy-three (73) percent to about ninety (90) percent, marking a transformative moment in our development journey.

I assure the remaining few communities without access to electricity that the Government has mobilised the necessary resources, both domestically and through donor support, to provide access to the remaining ten (10) percent of our population by the end of 2026.

A provision of four hundred (D400) million Dalasis has been secured in the 2026 national budget to support this effort. Additional financing is being mobilised under our National Energy Compact initiative with the World Bank, African Development Bank and other partners to complement this budgetary allocation.

It is worth mentioning that this achievement is far more than just infrastructure development. Electricity is a catalyst for socio-economic transformation. It powers schools and health facilities, drives agro-processing and small businesses, supports industrialisation, and unlocks opportunities for jobs, innovation, and inclusive growth, particularly for rural communities.

As we celebrate this important milestone today, let us renew our collective commitment to leaving no Gambian behind in our development efforts. Guided by our national resolve to develop our beloved homeland, and in alignment with our continental initiatives, we are not only lighting homes but also empowering communities and building a brighter and more prosperous Gambia for posterity.

Through such developments, we are gradually laying the foundation for a more prosperous and resilient Gambia.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me take this opportunity to thank the World Bank, the European Union, the European Investment Bank, and ECOWAS for their continued support and invaluable partnership.

I urge that we continue working hand in hand to brighten the lives of our people and secure a brighter future for all Gambians, now and forever.

I also thank the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs for mobilising the required resources, and the Ministry of Petroleum, Energy and Mines, NAWEC, the consultants, and the contractors for the successful delivery of works in the seven hundred and nineteen (719) community project sites.

To the people of Njongon and all communities across the region, I say: This project is yours. It marks progress, partnership, and a future where no Gambian is left behind. Embrace it as much as you can.

To conclude, I now have the singular honour and privilege to declare this electricity project officially commissioned.

I thank you all for your attention.