In Boké, a mining city in Guinea located 171 kilometers from Conakry, residents and business owners are experiencing the effects of reliable electricity for the first time in years. Previously, frequent power outages and unreliable service led to frustration and even social protests, as communities demanded better access to the region’s energy resources.
Local entrepreneur Safiatou Bangoura described her past routine: “I used to wake up at 1 a.m., just to get a few hours of work in before the power went out,” she said. She noted that most of her earnings were spent on generator fuel, making it difficult to save money or expand her business. Like many others in Boké, Safiatou depended on generators due to unreliable electricity, which resulted in high operating costs and limited growth opportunities.
The situation changed with the commissioning of the Gambia River Basin Development Organization (OMVG) Interconnection Project. This initiative, financed by The World Bank, established a 225 kV transmission ring connecting Guinea with Senegal, The Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau. The project enabled electricity trade and improved access to clean hydropower across these countries. In Boké, new transmission lines and substations began operation in late 2022, providing stable and affordable electricity to thousands of residents. This development has supported the creation of new small businesses and jobs in the area.
Safiatou shared how this change affected her life: “The day the lights came on, it was like a burden lifted.” With reduced expenses on generator fuel, she invested in expanding her business by opening a second welding shop, hiring five employees, increasing her client base, and tripling her monthly income.
For families such as Aissatou Diallo’s, access to reliable electricity has also brought significant improvements. “Before, my children studied by candlelight, and fell behind in school,” Aissatou said. “Now, with electricity, our home is bright at night, my oldest son excels in school, and I can conserve food fresh in the refrigerator—saving money and preventing waste.”
Mamadouba Camara, Boke’s Urban Secretary-General commented: “The positive impact of electricity is evident. Our city and the villages affected by mining activities were once held back by darkness. Today, reliable power has become a catalyst for change—attracting new businesses, reducing crime, and giving our young people real hope for decent jobs.”
The Linsan–Boke–Kaleta section now delivers clean energy not only within Guinea but also to neighboring countries including Guinea-Bissau, The Gambia and Senegal. Over 6.6 million people across these four countries are expected to benefit from improved access to electricity; women represent half of those beneficiaries.
The OMVG Interconnection is part of the West African Power Pool (WAPP), which includes 14 countries working together for regional integration through cross-border electricity trade. With a total capacity of 800 MW, this network supports day-ahead power markets and optimized energy flows between member states.
Since 2015 Guinea has increased its export capacity from nearly zero to 440,000 KVA as part of this regional effort—a step that contributed significantly toward completing WAPP’s full interconnection network.
With ongoing support from agencies such as OMVG Asset Management Agency overseeing operations https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2023/06/28/guinea-s-electricity-surge-powering-local-small-businesses-and-communities, Guinea plans further modernization of its grid infrastructure while expanding access and integrating solar energy alongside hydropower assets.
According to project leaders and community members alike, the OMVG project demonstrates how shared infrastructure can foster job creation and economic resilience throughout West Africa.