MSGBC member countries Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau and Guinea-Conakry have a week ago signed an agreement to commission the regional electricity interconnection line of the Gambia River Basin Development Project (OMVG), spanning 1,677 kilometers.

During the agreement-signing ceremony, representatives from the four countries’ utilities – namely, the Gambia National Water & Electric Company, Electricity of Guinea, Electricity and Water of Guinea-Bissau and Senelec – shared insights into the project’s progress and its impact on energy security and socioeconomic development.

“We have a project that has two main components. The first is the electrical interconnection between the four states. This made it possible, with the support of technical and financial partners at OMVG, to build a line of 1,677 km, 225 KW and 15 main substations, which connect the four member countries,” said Elhadj Lansana Fofana, High Commissioner of the OMVG, adding that Senegal and The Gambia have already started the exchange of energy using the line.

The full completion of the project, which is anticipated later this month, will enable Guinea-Conakry and Guinea-Bissau to join their MSGBC counterparts in energy sharing via the network.

The project will also serve as a cornerstone for enhancing energy resilience across all 14 countries in West Africa.