By Momodou Bah
The Electricity and Water Company of Guinea-Bissau (EAGB) has begun a three-day benchmark study visit to The Gambia.
The visit aims at strengthening cooperation with Gambia’s National Water and Electricity Company Limited (NAWEC) in the production and distribution of water and electricity.
The visit seeks to enable the Guinea-Bissau delegation to gather first-hand information and technical expertise from NAWEC, as part of efforts to enhance service delivery and deepen bilateral collaboration in the energy and water sectors.
The initiative is aligned with the objectives of the West Africa Power Pool (WAPP), an agency of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which seeks to integrate national power systems into a unified regional grid to facilitate cross-border electricity trade.
Speaking at a joint press conference, NAWEC Managing Director Galore Saidy underscored the importance of sustained cooperation between the two countries, noting that continuity in partnership is key to ensuring reliable water and electricity supply across the region.
He says NAWEC’s strategic direction goes beyond meeting domestic demand, stressing that regional collaboration remains central to future energy security and market integration.
“This approach will enable both countries to strengthen market relations and support each other in the distribution of water and electricity,” he added.
For his part, Irenev Da Silva, Deputy Director General of EAGB, says the visit is intended to provide insights into operational procedures in water and electricity distribution.
He emphasized the critical role of electricity in human development, describing it as essential to productivity and socio-economic progress.
Da Silva further highlights the longstanding relations between Guinea-Bissau and The Gambia, noting that both countries are engaged in joint initiatives such as the Organisation pour la Mise en Valeur du Fleuve Gambie (OMVG) project, WAPP, and the Engineering, Construction, Operation and Regulation (ECOR) programme.
He discloses that the OMVG interconnection project offers member states the opportunity to trade electricity, demonstrating the practical benefits of regional integration.
Meanwhile, NAWEC Deputy Managing Director Sompo Ceesay, notes that NAWEC and EAGB are among the few utilities within the WAPP framework that provide both water and electricity services, making their collaboration particularly significant.
He said the delegation had been engaged in a series of technical exchanges, including discussions on access projects, metering systems, and smart metering initiatives, as well as challenges facing the sector.
Ceesay expressed hope that the visit would mark the beginning of sustained collaboration through regular exchanges of information and personnel to enhance operational efficiency.