Gambiaj.com – (ISTANBUL, Türkiye) – The Gambia’s planned 100-megawatt solar park in Jarra Soma could see Turkish companies play a central role, following a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Banjul and Ankara on energy cooperation.

At the sidelines of the Türkiye-Africa Business Forum in Istanbul, the Gambia’s Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Nani Juwara, signed the MoU with Türkiye’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Alparslan Bayraktar.

While details of the agreement remain undisclosed, both ministers expressed optimism about expanding renewable energy collaboration.

Minister Juwara revealed that Turkish firms are being encouraged to invest in The Gambia’s renewable energy sector, particularly in the Jarra Soma solar project.

“We have currently launched a tender for 50 megawatts, which is under evaluation. But the intention is to go to the second phase and also have a 100-megawatt solar plant in Jarra Soma. This is an opportunity that Turkish companies interested in the energy sector can also explore,” he told Gambian reporters at the forum.

Minister Bayraktar, for his part, highlighted Türkiye’s readiness to invest in solar, wind, hydroelectric, microgrid, and storage projects across Africa, describing energy partnerships as being built on “trust, mutual respect, and shared progress.”

Turkish companies already have a significant footprint in Gambia’s energy landscape. Karpowership, a Turkish floating power provider, supplied up to 40% of the country’s electricity since 2018 under successive agreements with the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC).

However, the partnership ended in May 2025, when NAWEC opted not to renew the contract.

With the push for large-scale solar energy projects, the Jarra Soma park stands as one of The Gambia’s most ambitious renewable energy initiatives. If Turkish companies join the venture, it would mark a major shift in bilateral energy cooperation—transitioning from fossil fuel-powered electricity to sustainable solar solutions.