Gambians are growing increasingly frustrated by persistent power outages that have disrupted businesses, affected livelihoods and triggered protests in the capital, Banjul, and surrounding communities.
President Adama Barrow called for calm on Tuesday following protests over the worsening electricity crisis.
Residents took to the streets on Monday night, blocking roads and burning tyres while expressing anger over the prolonged blackouts and calling for Barrow to resign.
The electricity shortages began in June and have become increasingly frequent and prolonged, with soaring temperatures driving up demand for power. Authorities have attributed the crisis to climate change and supply chain disruptions linked to the war in Iran.
For many small business owners, the unreliable electricity supply has resulted in significant financial losses.
“Our business is stalling because of the lack of electricity,” says fishmonger Nyima Sonko.
“All our fish is getting spoiled, and this is our only source of livelihood. Our business has perished.”
Market trader Jula Jagne also described the difficulties faced by traders who depend on electricity to preserve food and run their businesses.
“We are tired of this problem. We sometimes go a full day without electricity. Sometimes we get power during the day, and sometimes at night. The power can be out for six or seven hours at a time. We don’t have ice to keep our chicken meat cool, which can cost as much as three hundred dalasis. We, the women of The Gambia, are tired.”
The ongoing crisis has raised concerns about the impact of unreliable electricity on households, food vendors, traders and other small businesses that rely on regular power supplies to protect their goods and remain operational.
Barrow, who is seeking re-election in December, described the electricity crisis as “a national security issue” and “an emergency.”
The president has promised to increase electricity supply by next month and appealed to citizens to remain patient as the government works to address the problem.
However, with businesses already reporting losses and residents facing increasingly long periods without electricity, frustration continues to grow among communities affected by the outages.
