EU set to pump €24 million into Gambia’s renewable energy sector

NAIROBI, Kenya - The European Union set to pump €24 million into Gambia’s renewable energy sector to boost reliable power energy for schools and health centres in the West African state.

Under the New Gateway funding model that will see Gambia accelerate the implementation of reliable green energy: more than 1000 rural schools and 100 health centres to benefit from solar panels, battery technology and network connectivity.

At the United Nations (UN) 5th Conference for Least Developed Countries (LDC5), Gambia, the European Union (EU) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) announced the signature of a €24 million EU Global Gateway grant to be used alongside an €8 million EIB loan to support the implementation of a renewable energy on and off-grid generation, transmission and distribution programme across the Gambia.

This new grant agreement brings the overall financial backing to the project from the European Investment Bank and the European Union to more than €100 million.

The Statement of Signature, relating to this grant agreement, is being signed today by Jutta Urpilainen, EU Commissioner for International Partnerships, Seedy Keita, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs of the Republic of the Gambia, and Thomas Östros, EIB Vice-President.

“I express my sincere gratitude to the European Union (EU) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) for the financial support. Once again it demonstrates that The EU and EIB are strong development partners of the Gambia. The project will transform the electricity sector of The Gambia via the ‘Solarisation’ of up to 1000 schools and 100 health facilities, especially in the remote areas of the country. Furthermore, it will provide beneficiaries in the education and health sectors with reliable and clean energy thereby reducing our carbon footprint. We are towards the realization of universal access to electricity for all Gambians by 2025.” said Seedy Keita, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs of the Republic of the Gambia.

European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen said: “Affordable, reliable and sustainable access to electricity for all is a Global Gateway priority. It increases strategic autonomy, and without electricity, communities cannot benefit from new technologies in full. I am delighted to sign this €24 million grant agreement for solar panels to power up schools and health centres in the Gambia. This flagship green energy project is a fantastic win-win for climate action and human development, for empowering young people and for creating more economic opportunities across the country.”

“Investment in Gambia’s energy infrastructure is essential to improve economic opportunities as well as better daily lives. The EIB welcomes in particular the additional Team Europe grant support in cooperation with Gambian, international and European partners. Together, this scheme will enable the Gambia to be the first country in Africa to provide renewable energy electrification for all public school and health facilities.” said EIB Vice-President Thomas Östros.

He further added that “It is a flagship and impactful project supported by EIB Global, our new branch dedicated to the development and international partnerships outside the EU. We are strongly committed to supporting climate action in Africa and around the world.”

Once operational, the Gambia Renewable Energy project will increase the energy supply in the Gambia by one-fifth. In addition to increasing access to electricity in rural communities, it supports the construction of a new photovoltaic plant at Jambur near Banjul and the reinforcement of power transmission and distribution infrastructure.

This project is also supported by the World Bank. Over the last decade, the European Investment Bank has provided €5.3 billion for energy investment across Africa.

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