Gambia Signs Contracts to Distribute 7,800 LPG Cylinders Under $300,000 ECOWAS Initiative

By Makutu Manneh

The Government of The Gambia, through the Ministry of Petroleum, Energy and Mines (MoPEM), has signed two contracts for the procurement and distribution of 7,800 filled liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders to selected households across the country as part of efforts to expand access to clean cooking energy.

The signing ceremony took place on Monday, November 2, 2026, at Petroleum House in Banjul, marking a significant step in the implementation of the ECOWAS LPG 20/20 Initiative in The Gambia.

The project is fully funded by the ECOWAS Commission through a $300,000 grant and is intended to promote the adoption of cleaner cooking alternatives while reducing reliance on traditional fuels.

In a statement, the ministry disclosed that the Gambia National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), which serves as the implementing agency, will collaborate with two selected suppliers to distribute the cylinders and accompanying accessories.

Under the agreements, Star Oil Gambia Limited will supply 2,600 filled six-kilogram LPG cylinders, while Njegan Brothers Gas Company Limited will provide the remaining 5,200 cylinders and accessories.

According to the ministry, beneficiaries will be identified using established selection criteria informed by data from The Gambia’s Social Registry, a measure intended to ensure transparency and direct assistance to eligible households.

The ministry said the project is expected to be implemented over four to five months and will include a nationwide public awareness campaign to educate beneficiaries on the safe handling, storage, and use of LPG.

The campaign is intended to promote safe cooking practices and encourage households to transition toward cleaner energy sources.

The initiative also forms part of broader efforts to improve household health and welfare while reducing environmental pressures associated with traditional cooking fuels.

“Through this initiative, the Government and its regional partners reaffirm their commitment to making clean cooking more accessible, improving household health and welfare, and protecting The Gambia’s natural resources,” the ministry stated.

The distribution of the 7,800 cylinders is expected to support the government’s efforts to expand access to clean cooking solutions, particularly among households selected through the Social Registry, while advancing regional energy and environmental objectives under the ECOWAS initiative.