Africa-Press – Gambia. The Gambia is hosting the 10th edition of the ECOWAS Sustainable Energy Forum (ESEF) from September 18–19, 2025, at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center in Bijilo. The two-day forum convenes regional leaders, policymakers, and energy experts to exchange strategies and insights aimed at addressing West Africa’s most pressing energy challenges.
Held under the theme “Accelerating Sustainable Energy Infrastructure Solutions for Growth in the ECOWAS Region,” the forum emphasizes innovation, collaboration, and knowledge sharing as the region works toward a sustainable and inclusive energy future.
Representing President Adama Barrow at the opening ceremony, Vice President Mohammed B.S. Jallow described hosting the forum as both an honor and a responsibility. He highlighted significant regional milestones, including progress made through the West African Power Pool, the Regional Electricity Access Project, and the West Africa Clean Energy Corridor—initiatives that continue to expand reliable electricity access to thousands of communities.
Vice President Jallow also cited The Gambia’s own advances in electrification, noting that national access rose from 35 percent in 2017 to over 73 percent in 2025. The country is on track to reach 90 percent by 2026, with rural electrification remaining a central focus. However, he emphasized that millions across West Africa still lack reliable electricity, particularly in rural areas where energy poverty hampers education, healthcare, and economic growth.
“We must therefore accelerate solutions, scale up investments in regional transmission and energy trade, promote energy efficiency in buildings, industry, and transport, strengthen regulatory frameworks to attract private capital, advance clean cooking initiatives and energy water food nexus, leverage carbon markets and climate finance to drive the clean energy transition,” Vice President Jallow said.
He urged ECOWAS member states to think bigger, act faster, and collaborate more deeply, adding, “Let us seize this platform to forge stronger partnerships, exchange innovations, and mobilize investments to achieve universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy by 2030 in line with SDG7.”
Lamin Camara, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Petroleum, Energy, and Mines, stressed the urgency of transitioning to renewable energy to combat climate change and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. He highlighted the importance of regional cooperation to ensure equitable access to sustainable energy across West Africa.
“This forum represents a significant opportunity for us all to foster regional integration, and together we can strengthen the regional electricity market and enhance transmission and distribution interconnection infrastructure among our member states,” he said.
Also speaking at the forum, Violeta Insa Sandoval, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Spain to The Gambia, described energy as one of the most vital sectors of the modern era—calling it a catalyst for development and a driver of social transformation, “Spain is proud to stand as long long-lasting partner with ECOWAS in this field.”
By hosting the ESEF 2025 forum, The Gambia is showing its dedication to sustainable energy and its increasing influence in regional energy projects. The event will bring together a wide range of participants, from government leaders and international partners to private sector heads, innovators, and academics, all with the goal of creating a cleaner, more resilient energy future for West Africa.
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