NAWEC Watch – History of Utility in The Gambia

Electricity and water are essential public goods that underpin public health, education, economic growth, national security, and human dignity. Despite decades of reforms, institutional restructuring, and massive investments from both government and development partners, The Gambia continues to face persistent challenges in the delivery of reliable electricity and water services. Recurring blackouts, water shortages, financial difficulties, and repeated promises of improvement have remained a constant feature of the utility sector for more than five decades.

To promote transparency, accountability, and informed public debate, the Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice (EFSCRJ) has launched NAWEC Watch, a public accountability initiative dedicated to tracking investments, performance, governance, and service delivery in the utility sector. Through the review of public records, audit reports, parliamentary proceedings, project documents, and other credible sources, NAWEC Watch seeks to provide citizens with evidence-based information on the management of the sector, assess the impact of investments and reforms, and contribute to efforts aimed at building a reliable, efficient, and accountable utility system for The Gambia.