
Photo: Mishimito · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 16 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Gambia: Energy
Where does a country’s electricity come from, and who can get it?
Gambia is placed 161st of 165 countries on energy in the Country Index 2026, from 2 of its 3 key statistics. Readings behind it: Carbon Intensity of Electricity 658.82 (2024); Renewable Share of Electricity Generation 0 (2024).
Share
Energy
161st
of 165 countries placed
Placed from 2 of 3 key statistics
01The evidence
The 3 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Gambia on energy — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
658.82
Carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated)
Lower is better
Gambia: 658.82. Across the 165 countries in this edition, values run from 23.73 (Bhutan) to 1,306 (Turkmenistan); the world median is 433.75.
- World median
- 433.75
- Best in Western Africa
- 57.14 Sierra Leone
- Land neighbours
- Senegal 540.11
0
Renewables (% of electricity generated)
Higher is better
Gambia: 0. Across the 165 countries in this edition, values run from 0 (Gambia) to 100 (Paraguay); the world median is 32.06.
- World median
- 32.06
- Best in Western Africa
- 95.24 Sierra Leone
- Land neighbours
- Senegal 19.79
Key 3 of 3
World Energy Trilemma Index
World Energy Council
2023 edition · data for 2023 · Express reuse grant (no Creative Commons licence named)
No reading
Trilemma score (0–100)
Higher is better
World Energy Council publishes no 2023 figure for Gambia, so the standing rests on the other keys.
Across the 126 countries in this edition, values run from 27.7 (Niger) to 83.2 (Denmark); the world median is 63.8.
- World median
- 63.8
- Best in Western Africa
- 47.6 Ghana
- Land neighbours
- Senegal 41.2
02Over time
Which way Gambia is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Carbon Intensity of Electricity
Carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated) · lower is better
GambiaWorld median
Gambia fell from 661.54 in 2000 to 658.82 in 2024; the world median went from 540.34 to 433.75.
Every year’s figures
Year Gambia World median 2024 658.8 433.7 2023 658.8 452.7 2022 658.8 476.3 2021 658.0 469.0 2020 658.3 482.0 2019 658.7 488.2 2018 659.0 500.4 2017 658.1 506.3 2016 656.7 521.9 2015 657.1 524.8 2014 656.0 522.3 2013 656.0 508.8 2012 656.0 525.4 2011 656.0 521.4 2010 656.0 515.5 2009 658.3 533.6 2008 658.3 517.2 2007 656.5 535.3 2006 659.1 537.5 2005 660.0 521.4 2004 657.9 523.1 2003 658.8 543.1 2002 660.0 551.3 2001 660.0 559.3 2000 661.5 540.3 Renewable Share of Electricity Generation
Renewables (% of electricity generated) · higher is better
GambiaWorld median
Gambia was at 0 in both 2000 and 2024; the world median went from 15.61 to 32.06.
Every year’s figures
Year Gambia World median 2024 0 32.062 2023 0 28.000 2022 0 28.881 2021 0 28.286 2020 0 27.125 2019 0 26.296 2018 0 25.505 2017 0 24.023 2016 0 22.218 2015 0 21.915 2014 0 21.151 2013 0 21.593 2012 0 19.869 2011 0 18.584 2010 0 18.572 2009 0 17.886 2008 0 15.923 2007 0 15.586 2006 0 15.392 2005 0 16.438 2004 0 16.445 2003 0 16.339 2002 0 13.826 2001 0 14.023 2000 0 15.612
03In context
Gambia beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 165 countries on energy, never a place within the region.
Gambia and the countries it borders
Standing among all 165; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Carbon Intensity of ElectricityCarbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated) | Renewable Share of Electricity GenerationRenewables (% of electricity generated) | World Energy Trilemma IndexTrilemma score (0–100) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 126th | 540.11 | 19.79 | 41.2 | |
| 161st | 658.82 | 0 | — |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Western Africa
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 165.
Placed either side on energy
The countries immediately above and below Gambia in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Gambia is ahead of the world, and behind
22 more statistics filed under energy, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median2
Statistics on which Gambia does better than the middle country measured.
Energy Intensity of GDP (PPP)EIA · 2024 · world median 2.7381.1882.738▲ Improved since 2014
Gambia: 1.188 · world median 2.738 · Energy use per dollar of GDP (thousand Btu per US$ at PPP). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.666 to 17.45; lower is better.
CO₂ Emissions per CapitaGlobal Carbon Project · 2024 · world median 3.210.2913.21No real change since 2014
Gambia: 0.291 · world median 3.21 · Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person). Global Carbon Project, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.054 to 41.27; lower is better.
Position 186th of 210 · derived, 1st = worst.
Behind the world median7
Statistics on which Gambia does worse than the middle country measured.
Firms Identifying Electricity as a Major ConstraintWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 25.7737.0525.77No earlier reading
Gambia: 37.05 · world median 25.77 · Firms rating electricity a major or very severe constraint (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 84.77; lower is better.
Position 50th of 179 · derived, 1st = worst.
Firms Owning or Sharing a GeneratorWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 24.8548.1824.85No earlier reading
Gambia: 48.18 · world median 24.85 · Firms owning or sharing a generator (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0.158 to 90.51; lower is better.
Access to ElectricityWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 10069100No real change since 2014
Gambia: 69 · world median 100 · Population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 5.4 to 100; higher is better.
Access to Electricity, RuralWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 10039.2100▼ Worsened since 2014
Gambia: 39.2 · world median 100 · Rural population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.7 to 100; higher is better.
Primary Schools with ElectricityUIS · 2024 · world median 10052.71100▼ Worsened since 2016
Gambia: 52.71 · world median 100 · Primary schools with access to electricity (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.246 to 100; higher is better.
Wind and Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 5.27905.279▼ Worsened since 2014
Gambia: 0 · world median 5.279 · Wind and solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 69.12; higher is better.
Low-Carbon Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 37.32037.32▼ Worsened since 2014
Gambia: 0 · world median 37.32 · Low-carbon sources (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Position 162nd of 162 · derived.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
Coal Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 000No real change since 2014
Gambia: 0 · world median 0 · Coal (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 98.25; lower is better.
No better end12
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Photovoltaic Power Potential (PVOUT)World Bank Group (ESMAP), data by Solargis · 2020 · world median 4.2734.5694.273No earlier reading
Gambia: 4.569 · world median 4.273 · Practical solar power potential (kWh per kWp per day, long-term average). World Bank Group (ESMAP), data by Solargis, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 2.513 to 5.379.
Nuclear Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 000No real change since 2014
Gambia: 0 · world median 0 · Nuclear (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 67.4.
Net Electricity Imports (share of generation)Ember · 2024 · world median 000No real change since 2014
Gambia: 0 · world median 0 · Net electricity imports (% of domestic generation). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from -70.16 to 707.07.
Solar Electricity Installed CapacityEIA · 2024 · world median 0.1440.0250.144Moved since 2014
Gambia: 0.025 · world median 0.144 · Solar generating capacity installed (gigawatts). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 886.66.
Natural Gas ProductionEIA · 2024 · world median 000No real change since 2014
Gambia: 0 · world median 0 · Dry natural gas produced (billion cubic metres). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,069.
Crude Oil ProductionEIA · 2025 · world median 000No real change since 2015
Gambia: 0 · world median 0 · Crude oil produced (thousand barrels per day). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 13,586.
Gas Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 2.58502.585Moved since 2014
Gambia: 0 · world median 2.585 · Natural gas (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 99.97.
Operating Wind Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 1000100No earlier reading
Gambia: 0 · world median 100 · Wind farm capacity in operation (megawatts). Global Energy Monitor, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 542,758.
Hydro Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 12.85012.85No real change since 2014
Gambia: 0 · world median 12.85 · Hydropower (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100.
Primary Energy Consumption per CapitaEIA · 2024 · world median 49.52.84449.5Moved since 2014
Gambia: 2.844 · world median 49.5 · Energy use per person (million Btu). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.95 to 766.07.
Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 3.04903.049Moved since 2014
Gambia: 0 · world median 3.049 · Solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 50.
Primary Energy ProductionEIA · 2024 · world median 0.07700.077Moved since 2014
Gambia: 0 · world median 0.077 · Primary energy produced (quadrillion Btu). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 130.76.
No current reading for Gambia
Operating Coal Power Capacity, RISE Clean Cooking Policy Score, RISE Electricity Access Policy Score, RISE Energy Efficiency Policy Score, RISE Renewable Energy Policy Score and World Energy Trilemma Index. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Energy among Gambia’s 16 topics
Energy is Gambia’s 15th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Environment & Sustainability4th of 1862/4 keys
- Peace & Security27th of 1774/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties84th of 1984/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions86th of 1944/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality117th of 1593/3 keys
- Gender & Equality141st of 1834/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience149th of 1934/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeingjoint 159th of 2004/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge168th of 1984/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade157th of 1774/4 keys
- Work & Labour167th of 1824/4 keys
- Digital & Technology183rd of 1984/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital184th of 1963/3 keys
- Economy & Innovationjoint 168th of 1763/4 keys
- Energy161st of 1652/3 keys
- Food & Agriculture180th of 1843/4 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on energy
The three countries placed highest of 165, and the leaders Gambia can most readily be measured against.
1Bhutan
Southern Asia
1st of 165 · 2 of 3 keys
Photo: VIkramjit Kakati derivative work: ויקיג'אנקי · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2Norway
Northern Europe
2nd of 165 · 3 of 3 keys
Photo: Ximonic , Simo Räsänen · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3Uganda
Eastern Africa
3rd of 165 · 2 of 3 keys
Photo: Rod Waddington from Kergunyah, Australia · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Africa
Uganda3rd2/3 keys
Highest in Western Africa
Sierra Leone4th2/3 keys
This page
Gambia161st2/3 keys
Positions out of 165 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Questions
Gambia on energy: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Gambia rank on energy?
Gambia is placed 161st of 165 countries on Energy in the Country Index 2026, from 2 of its 3 key statistics (Carbon Intensity of Electricity and Renewable Share of Electricity Generation). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Carbon Intensity of Electricity figure for Gambia?
658.82 in 2024 (carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated)), according to Ember. The world median in the same edition was 433.75.
What is the latest Renewable Share of Electricity Generation figure for Gambia?
0 in 2024 (renewables (% of electricity generated)), according to Ember. The world median in the same edition was 32.06.
How does Gambia compare with Senegal on energy?
Senegal is placed 126th of 165, and Gambia 161st. Carbon Intensity of Electricity: Senegal 540.11, Gambia 658.82; Renewable Share of Electricity Generation: Senegal 19.79, Gambia 0.
How have Gambia’s energy figures changed?
Carbon Intensity of Electricity fell from 661.54 in 2000 to 658.82 in 2024; Renewable Share of Electricity Generation was 0 in both 2000 and 2024.
Which energy statistics are missing for Gambia?
No current reading is published for Gambia on Operating Coal Power Capacity, RISE Clean Cooking Policy Score, RISE Electricity Access Policy Score, RISE Energy Efficiency Policy Score, RISE Renewable Energy Policy Score and World Energy Trilemma Index. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
08Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
This is deliberately the electricity and energy-system subject, not an infrastructure one: roads, railways, ports, water and telecommunications would each need a global series this site does not hold. Emissions are under Environment & Sustainability. Access to electricity is published here in full but takes no part in any ranking — more than half the world’s countries now report 100%, and a position derived from that would read “1, 1, 1 … 123”, which is noise rather than information.
How the Energy standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 3 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 3 keys to be placed.
The energy method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Carbon Intensity of Electricity — Ember, CC BY 4.0
- Renewable Share of Electricity Generation — Ember, CC BY 4.0
- World Energy Trilemma Index — World Energy Council, Express reuse grant (no Creative Commons licence named)
The other 22 statistics on this page come from 7 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Gambia’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Gambia (banner) — Mishimito, CC BY 2.0
- Bhutan — VIkramjit Kakati derivative work: ויקיג'אנקי, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Norway — Ximonic , Simo Räsänen, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Uganda — Rod Waddington from Kergunyah, Australia, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Gambia: Energy — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/gambia/energy