By Vincent Obi
Banjul – According to a recent country progress report, investments by the African Development Bank (AfDB) in Gambia include those in the energy sector which have significantly improved access to affordable and reliable electricity.
The report said that at least 70% of Gambians will have power by the end of 2024.
When this happens, 50% of the energized areas will be in the rural areas.
The notable power projects include an interconnection with Senegal, which provides 50 megawatts of power to augment Gambia’s bulk supply system.
On transportation, the report said investment in bridges has reduced transport costs along the trans-Gambia corridor by cutting journey times previously held up by ferry crossings.
Passenger and freight transport costs are expected to fall by between 50 and 100% compared to costs before the investment in the bridge, and annual journeys by households to educational and health establishments are expected to double.
Dr. Joseph Ribeiro, the Bank’s Deputy-Director General for West Africa, said the interventions aim to help The Gambia lay the foundations for socio-economic transformation.
“The AfDB has increased its support for economic diversification and resilience in the Gambia, taking into account the country’s long-term development priorities and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, and targeting factors of fragility,” he stated.
As of 31 March 2024, the Bank had 17 active projects in The Gambia, valued at $252.1 million.
These projects are public operations, financed mainly by grants.
The transport sector accounted for the largest share of funding (51.2%), followed by agriculture and rural development (21%), energy (17.5%), water and sanitation (7.7%), governance (2.6%), and the social sector (2.6%).
