Foni Berefet Lights Up Under $66M ECOWAS–World Bank Project

By: Fatou Krubally

The once-dark village of Foni Berefet in the West Coast Region on Friday, 10th October 2025, witnessed a historic transformation as it was officially connected to the national electricity grid.

This was done under the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Access Project (ECOREAP), jointly funded by the World Bank and the ECOWAS Commission.

The commissioning ceremony marked a milestone in The Gambia’s rural electrification drive, bringing joy and hope to hundreds of residents who, for the first time, can now power their homes, schools, and businesses.

Speaking on behalf of the village Alkalo, Lamin Sanyang described the moment as “a day to celebrate,” noting that Berefet had waited for decades for such development. He thanked the government, the Minister of Energy and Petroleum, Hon. Nani Juwara, and partners from ECOWAS and the World Bank for making the dream of electricity a reality. “When you give electricity to man, you give him everlasting life,” he said, reflecting the community’s deep sense of gratitude.

Hon. Amie Kolley, National Assembly Member for Foni Brefet, hailed the project as “a symbol of progress, dignity, and renewed hope,” stressing its life-changing impact on education, healthcare, and local enterprise. “Electricity means children can study at night, health workers can provide better services, and small businesses can thrive,” she said, urging residents to take ownership of the project and use it wisely.

The Governor of the West Coast Region, Mr. Ousman Bojang, commended NAWEC and its partners for bringing electricity to rural communities, describing the achievement as “a testament to what collaboration between government and development partners can deliver.”

In his remarks, NAWEC Managing Director, Mr. Gallo Saidy, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to achieving universal electricity access by the end of 2025. “Today, Berefet officially joins the NAWEC electricity family,” he said, thanking ECOWAS and the World Bank for supporting 93 communities across the region—11 of them in the Foni Brefet area.

Representing ECOWAS, Mr. Arkadius Koumoin, Ag. Head of Division for Conventional Energy said the regional project aims to electrify 675 localities across The Gambia, Mali, and Guinea-Bissau, including 395 in The Gambia alone. “Electricity is more than just light; it is knowledge, health, and opportunity,” he noted.

World Bank Task Team Leader, Ms. Elise Massan Akitani, highlighted the project’s long-term goal of connecting 395 Gambian communities by December 2025, describing the Berefet commissioning as a “team victory.”

The event concluded with the presentation of certificates of appreciation by the community to the Government, NAWEC, ECOWAS, and the World Bank for their contribution.

As the transformer was switched on by Minister Nani Juwara, cheers erupted across the village, a symbol of light, progress, and the promise of a brighter future for Foni Berefet.

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 By: Fatou Krubally The once-dark village of Foni Berefet in the West Coast Region on Friday, 10th October 2025, witnessed…
The post Foni Berefet Lights Up Under $66M ECOWAS–World Bank Project appeared first on .