By Abdou Mbye
His Excellency Mohammed BS Jallow, Vice President of The Gambia, on Tuesday, January 28th delivered a keynote address at the African Heads of State Energy Summit, on behalf of HE President Adama Barrow and the Gambian government. The high-profile event, held at the Julius Nyerere Convention Centre in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, was organised by the African Union, the World Bank, and the African Development Bank. It brought together African leaders, ministers, and key stakeholders to strategise on achieving universal electricity access for over 300 million people across the continent.
In his address, VP Jallow underscored the transformative role of energy in driving national development, economic empowerment, and modernisation. He described the summit as a crucial platform for fostering collaboration among African nations and international partners in the collective pursuit of universal electricity access by 2030.
“We are gathered here today, united by a shared mission to address one of Africa’s most pressing challenges—energy access,” VP Jallow stated. “We must do everything in our power to provide adequate, reliable, and affordable electricity across the continent. Resolving Africa’s energy challenge will attract investment, spur industrialisation, and enable the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises, which are the backbone of economic prosperity.”
He reaffirmed The Gambia’s commitment to expanding electricity access, highlighting that the country is on track to providing power to 90% of its population by June 2025. He also expressed gratitude to development partners for their continuous support, emphasising the summit as a valuable opportunity for meaningful dialogue and strengthened partnerships.
“In The Gambia, our leadership remains steadfast in its commitment to transforming the energy sector,” he declared. “Our target is ambitious yet achievable: universal electricity access by the end of 2025, coupled with an uninterrupted 24/7 power supply and a diversified energy mix. By 2030, at least 60% of our electricity will be generated from clean and renewable sources.”
The summit, attended by high-level dignitaries focused on innovative solutions to bridge Africa’s energy gap, accelerate sustainable development, and create economic opportunities for millions.
VP Jallow’s remarks reinforced The Gambia’s proactive approach and commitment to aligning with continental and global energy goals.
