The Gambia River Basin Development Organisation (OMVG) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) are stepping up their cooperation to advance energy integration in West Africa.
A high-level OMVG delegation, led by High Commissioner Demba Jallow, met with AfDB officials at the Bank’s headquarters in Abidjan on May 5 to review the progress of regional infrastructure projects, with a strong focus on the energy sector.
At the heart of the talks was OMVG’s flagship €880 million regional energy project, co-financed by the AfDB and other partners. Now nearing completion, the initiative includes the construction of a 1,677-kilometre, 225 kV power transmission line with a transfer capacity of 800 megawatts (MW). The line interconnects The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and Senegal, all OMVG member states.
The project also includes 15 substations and two dispatch centers, located in Linsan (Guinea) and Tambacounda (Senegal). The infrastructure is now integrated into the West African Power Pool (WAPP), significantly advancing subregional energy integration.
Since late November 2023, all 14 mainland West African countries have been interconnected via a single power grid, facilitating the exchange of clean, affordable renewable energy. This milestone, both institutions emphasised, strengthens regional cooperation and broadens access to sustainable energy.
Another key component of the initiative is the Sambangalou hydropower dam in Senegal, with a planned capacity of 128 MW and an expected annual generation of 402 GWh. Construction has resumed, and phased commissioning is scheduled for 2028, according to OMVG officials.
Beyond the energy sector, the talks also addressed other priority areas such as agriculture, water and sanitation, transport, environmental protection, and knowledge management, all aligned with the Bank’s strategic goals.
OMVG representatives presented their Integrated Development Master Plan (PDDI) and Joint Investment Plan (PIC), stressing the urgency of mobilising more resources for regional projects. To that end, an Investment Forum will be held in Dakar on June 16–17, 2025, under the theme: “Unlocking Regional Potential Through Sustainable Investment.”
“This visit reflects the African Development Bank’s ongoing commitment to supporting OMVG in implementing transformative projects,” said Lamin Barrow, AfDB Director General for West Africa.
ODL/te/lb/as/APA