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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has officially launched the construction of solar-powered Autonomous Water Points (AWPs) in The Gambia and Sierra Leone as part of efforts to improve access to safe drinking water for vulnerable communities across the region.
The groundbreaking ceremonies were held in Busura, about 50 kilometres from Banjul in The Gambia, and in Ginger Hall, a suburb of Freetown, Sierra Leonen.
According to a statement on Friday, the projects are being implemented by the ECOWAS Commission through its Water Resources Management Centre (WRMC) under the Special Project, “Improving Access to Safe Drinking Water for Vulnerable Populations in ECOWAS Member States.” In Sierra Leone, the launch followed the official handover of project sites to contractors on June 16, 2026.
In The Gambia, the ceremony was led by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, alongside the ECOWAS Commissioner for Internal Services and the country’s Minister of Fisheries, Water Resources and Parliamentary Affairs.
In Sierra Leone, Dr. Touray was represented by his Chief of Staff, who joined the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation to officially launch the project.
The events also attracted ECOWAS Resident Representatives, Heads of National Offices, the Director of the Water Resources Management Centre, local government officials, traditional leaders and members of the beneficiary communities.
ECOWAS said the initiative underscores its commitment to expanding access to clean and safe drinking water, strengthening climate resilience, and improving the living conditions of vulnerable populations across its Member States through sustainable, solar-powered water infrastructure.
