RicherFin · Sovereign Projects

Regional Solar Park of The Gambia (RSPG) — Gambia

Gambia · Soma · Jarra West District · Lower River Region · Energy

Overview

The Regional Solar Park of The Gambia is a solar photovoltaic and battery-storage project under development at Soma in the Lower River Region. Its first phase consists of a 50 MWp solar plant with battery storage. The project is structured as a public-private partnership to select an independent power producer responsible for financing, constructing and operating the facility.

The programme is designed in two phases. Phase I will serve the Gambian market. A later 100 MWp expansion, taking potential solar capacity to 150 MWp, is envisaged partly for regional electricity exports using Organisation pour la mise en valeur du fleuve Gambie infrastructure. The National Energy Compact estimates the Phase I investment at about US$60 million and targets commissioning in 2027.

The World Bank is separately providing US$1.35 million for transaction advisory support through financial close. IPP selection was launched in October 2024; technically and financially qualified candidates were shortlisted and the request-for-proposals phase followed.

Key project information

Official name
Regional Solar Park of The Gambia
Status
Under development / PPP procurement
Current phase
Development and PPP structuring
Country
The Gambia
Location
Soma, Jarra West District, Lower River Region
Sector
Energy
Sub-sector
Solar photovoltaic and battery storage
Project structure
Independent power producer / public-private partnership
World Bank ID
P504421
RicherFin project ID
032933ad-9f2c-4e7f-8e65-ffb47470ba4b
Estimated Phase I investment
US$60 million
World Bank transaction-preparation financing
US$1.35 million
Preparation financing approval
2024
Preparation financing closing
30 Jun 2027
Phase I commissioning
2027 · planned

Financing

Transaction preparation and solar-plant financing are distinct. The World Bank provided US$1.35 million through a recipient-executed trust fund to finance transaction advisory support and competitive procurement.

Phase I is to be financed and developed by the IPP selected under the PPP. The National Energy Compact estimates US$60 million for 50 MW of solar and 10 MW / 40 MWh of storage. Earlier documents set a US$40 million private-capital-mobilisation target; this is an indicator, not the updated plant cost. Financial close was not confirmed in the primary sources reviewed by 1 October 2026.

Estimated Phase I cost
US$60 million
Preparation financing
US$1.35 million
Structure
Private financing through PPP / IPP
Preparation instrument
Recipient-executed trust fund
Initial private-finance mobilisation target
US$40 million