GAMBIA · ENERGY
Key Facts
- The country The Gambia, a small West African country, votes for a president on 5 December.
- What happened The Gambia signed a US$169 million solar plant deal on 28 October 2026.
- The plant It adds 148.4 megawatts of solar power plus a battery, in Jarra Soma, east of Banjul.
- Why now Blackouts lasting up to 48 hours sparked violent protests in September, weeks before the vote.
- The catch No completion date is firm, and the government has not said when power starts flowing.
- Prediction markets Polymarket gives Adama Barrow a 70% chance of winning the 5 December 2026 election (1 November, 6:15 a.m. ET).
The Gambia signed a US$169 million solar plant deal in Banjul on 28 October 2026, and the government announced it on 29 and 30 October. The Gambia solar deal comes five weeks before the presidential vote on Saturday 5 December.
It follows blackouts that sent angry crowds into the streets of the capital. It sits beside our reports on the September blackout protests, the 5 December vote for US visitors and the candidate nomination calendar.
What the Gambia Solar Deal Covers
NAWEC, the National Water and Electricity Company that runs the state grid, signed a 25-year power purchase agreement on 28 October with Solaris Africa Limited. Solaris is a company of Mark Cables FZE, a free-zone firm.
The Ministry of Petroleum, Energy and Mines and the Ministry of Finance signed an implementation agreement for the government. President Adama Barrow was present at State House in Banjul.
The plant is phase two of the Soma Solar Park in Jarra Soma, in the Lower River Region. It adds 148.4 megawatts of solar power with battery storage.
The battery is meant to push solar power into the grid at the evening peak. That is when demand is highest and fuel-fired plants carry most of the load.
Energy Minister Nani Juwara called the Gambia solar deal the largest solar project ever carried out in the country. He said it will double the installed generation capacity.
Why Power Is the Issue Before the Vote
Rolling blackouts have hit Banjul and nearby cities this year, and some areas went without power for up to 48 hours. In early September, protesters burned tyres and called on Barrow to resign (our report).
NAWEC said on 5 October that two new 10.5-megawatt generators had reached the Gambia Ports Authority, due to run by the end of October. A third is due later, and the solar deal is a far bigger step that will take longer to build.
On 8 September Barrow had also promised a 24-megawatt unit at the Brikama power station by the end of October. Whether it and the new generators are running is not confirmed.
Barrow won office in December 2016, was re-elected in 2021 and now seeks a third term. Our Gambia explainer sets out the field, and a separate report shows how much of the budget goes to debt.
How Big Is the Gap
A World Bank assessment for 2024 put installed capacity at 158 megawatts. Only about 102 megawatts was available because the fleet is old.
The 148.4 megawatts of the Gambia solar deal is therefore close to the size of the whole installed fleet in 2024. Solar produces only while the sun shines, unless the battery stores the power.
The government says the battery will let solar supply the evening peak and reduce reliance on costly fuel-based generation. It has not published how much fuel the plant could displace.
In July 2026 Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote pledged US$2 billion for a 250-megawatt solar plant and a fuel tank farm. Both sides still had to formalise that pledge through agreements and studies.
What Prediction Markets Say
On 1 November 2026 at 6:15 a.m. ET, Polymarket gave Adama Barrow a 70% chance of winning, up 3.5 points in 24 hours. Only about US$14,000 has been traded in total, so the market is thin and a rough guide.
Why we show this: prediction markets turn real-money bets into a live probability that moves within minutes of the news, which is why investors, campaigns and newsrooms in the United States now follow them closely. We show them next to polls and official results, never instead of them.
What It Means for US Readers
The government has not given a firm completion date for the Gambia solar deal. One statement mentions 12 to 40 months, and the battery is described as 200 megawatt-hours and 50 megawatts in one statement, 85 megawatts in another.
Visitors heading to the coast should expect outages to remain possible until the Gambia solar deal brings new capacity online. Ask hotels whether they have backup generators.
Our guide for US visitors covers the election date and travel basics. Check the US State Department travel advisory before booking.
What Is Not Known
The government has not given a firm completion date for the Gambia solar deal. One official statement mentions a range of 12 to 40 months, and the size of the battery is described differently in different statements.
It is not known how the plant will be financed or whether the Brikama unit and the third generator are in service. It is also unclear how the contract price compares with fuel-fired power.
More: Africa news in English, every day from The Rio Times.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Gambia solar deal worth?
The deal is worth US$169 million. NAWEC, the state utility, signed it with Solaris Africa Limited on 28 October 2026.
How much power will the plant add?
The plant adds 148.4 megawatts of solar power with battery storage. The energy minister says it will double The Gambia’s installed capacity.
When is the Gambian presidential election?
The election is on Saturday 5 December 2026. President Adama Barrow is seeking a third term.
Why does the deal matter before the vote?
Blackouts lasting up to 48 hours sparked violent protests in September 2026. Electricity supply is now a central issue for voters.
Is it safe to visit The Gambia?
Check the US State Department travel advisory before booking. Outages are still possible, so ask hotels about backup power.
Sources: National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC): press release on the Soma Solar Park Phase II agreement, 28 October 2026; National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC): press release on new generators, 5 October 2026; Government of The Gambia: press release on the Soma Solar Park Phase II agreements, 30 October 2026; Independent Electoral Commission of The Gambia: election notices, 1 November 2026; World Bank: The Gambia country page, 2024 assessment.
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief