ECOWAS reports power access for nearly 500,000 people

Wednesday 4th November 2026

By inAfrika Newsroom

A regional electricity project has provided new or improved access to nearly 500,000 people in The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau, ECOWAS said, while Mali has requested more time to complete its work.

In a statement dated 3 November, the commission reported about 43,090 household connections across 400 Gambian localities and more than 20,788 connections across 90 localities in Guinea-Bissau. The corresponding beneficiary figures were 344,720 and about 145,000 people.

The update accompanied the project’s final steering-committee meeting, which opened in Abuja on 2 November. The $225 million World Bank-financed programme covers The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau and Mali and is scheduled to close on 31 December 2026.

Mali’s national energy director, Oussouby Mary dit Ousmane Diarra, sought an extension of at least 30 months, citing security and contractual constraints. ECOWAS said an extension would require World Bank approval; it did not announce that one had been granted.

The commission’s energy and mines director, Arkadius Koumoin, cited pandemic disruption, institutional changes, contractor failures and delays during implementation. He called for an orderly handover of infrastructure to national utilities.

A World Bank implementation report dated 31 December 2025 also lists the revised December 2026 closing date. That earlier report described distribution infrastructure, construction supervision and regional coordination as the programme’s main components.

Have a verified news development or story? Send news submissions and supporting materials to news@inafrika.co.tz