Gambia’s Clean Energy Shift Hinges on Women’s Inclusion and Empowerment

The Gambia’s renewable energy transition is creating new opportunities, but women remain largely excluded due to financial, technical, and social barriers. Placing women at the centre of energy policies and investments is key to achieving inclusive growth, better livelihoods, and universal energy access.

The Gambia is moving steadily towards renewable energy, with solar panels, mini-grids and clean cookstoves becoming more visible across the country. But a new report by the African Development Bank, in collaboration with Enda Energie and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, highlights a crucial gap. The transition to clean energy cannot succeed unless women are fully included. The study argues that women must not just benefit from renewable energy but actively shape and lead it.

Despite policy progress, energy poverty remains widespread, especially in rural areas. Women are the most affected. Many still spend hours every day collecting firewood and managing household energy needs. This limits their ability to study, earn income or take part in community decisions.

Daily Struggles Behind Energy Poverty

In much of rural Gambia, cooking still relies on firewood and charcoal. This exposes women to smoke and health risks while consuming valuable time. A large part of their day is spent on tasks linked to energy access, from gathering fuel to preparing food.

These challenges go beyond inconvenience. They affect education, health and economic participation. Girls often have less time for schoolwork, and women have fewer opportunities to start businesses or improve their livelihoods.

Even when electricity is available, affordability and access remain barriers. Women-headed households in low-income areas are particularly vulnerable to disconnection or exclusion from modern energy services.

Renewable Energy Is Already Changing Lives

There is, however, a clear shift underway. Renewable energy is beginning to improve daily life in meaningful ways. Solar lighting allows children, especially girls, to study after dark. Clean cookstoves reduce smoke and improve health conditions. Solar-powered water pumps are helping women farmers increase productivity and income.

These changes are not just technical. They are social. With less time spent on household energy tasks, women gain more freedom to engage in education, business and community life. Some are already starting small enterprises, selling solar products or producing energy-efficient stoves.

Women-led cooperatives and training centres are also emerging, showing that women can play a strong role in the clean energy economy when given the opportunity.

Barriers That Still Hold Women Back

Despite these gains, major challenges remain. Access to finance is one of the biggest barriers. Many women cannot secure loans due to a lack of collateral and depend on small savings groups that offer limited support. This makes it difficult to grow businesses or invest in new technologies.

Skills and training gaps also persist. Women are underrepresented in technical fields such as engineering and solar installation. Most training programmes are not designed with women in mind, and many focus only on low-income activities like basic stove production.

Social norms continue to restrict progress. In some communities, women are discouraged from working in technical roles or travelling for training. Within households, men often control financial decisions, which affects whether clean energy solutions are adopted.

Why Women Must Be at the Centre

The report makes it clear that including women is not just about equality. It is essential for economic growth and sustainable development. When women are involved, energy projects are more effective, better used and more widely accepted.

Expanding women's role in renewable energy could unlock new jobs, boost local economies and improve living standards across the country. It could also help close long-standing gender gaps in education, income and leadership.

The Way Forward for Inclusive Energy

To achieve this, the report calls for practical changes. These include improving access to finance for women-led businesses, expanding training in renewable energy skills, and creating policies that support women's participation in the sector.

There is also a need to raise awareness and challenge social norms that limit women's roles. Community engagement, mentorship programmes and support for women's cooperatives can play a key role in this shift.

The Gambia has the resources and the momentum to lead a clean energy transition. The real question is whether that transition will include everyone. If women are placed at the centre, the country stands to gain not just cleaner energy, but a stronger and more inclusive future.