'Guinea‑Bissau’s National Energy Policy responds to the ambition of transforming the energy sector into a pillar of sustainable and inclusive development'
Over the past five years, following the stabilisation of electricity supply by the Public Electricity Company (EAGB), with the average number of daily interruptions falling to 0.9 in 2025, Guinea‑Bissau has entered a decisive moment in its development trajectory. This progress has created opportunities for the establishment of new small and medium‑sized enterprises, particularly in the city of Bissau, generating employment for young people and women. As a determining factor for economic competitiveness, job creation and improved living conditions, energy has emerged, in this context, as a strategic sector and a true driver of economic and social transformation.
It is with this vision that the country is advancing, for the first time in its history, with the National Energy Policy (NEP) 2025–2035, a structuring instrument designed to guide the development of the national energy sector in a coherent, inclusive and integrated manner.
The development of this policy is an initiative of the Ministry of Energy, with the support of ECOWAS and financing from the World Bank, through the Regional Off‑Grid Electricity Access Project (ROGEAP). The process was coordinated by the Directorate‑General of Energy, through a dedicated technical unit, ensuring technical rigor and strong institutional ownership.
From the outset, a participatory approach was adopted. Technical meetings organised around each strategic pillar, followed by the High‑Level Energy Dialogue held from 7 to 10 April, enabled the mobilisation of public institutions, the private sector, civil society and development partners. This approach ensured multi‑sectoral input and reinforced the understanding of energy as a cross‑cutting sector for development.
The High‑Level Energy Dialogue unequivocally confirmed political and institutional commitment to this agenda. Structured around two thematic panels, it brought together the ECOWAS representative, the Minister of Energy, the Advisor to the Prime Minister for Energy and Infrastructure, representing the Prime Minister, the Minister of Environment, and the Director‑General of the ZENER Group, reflecting the diversity and strategic significance of the stakeholders involved. Beyond institutional debate, the dialogue was enriched by concrete private‑sector initiatives: the ZENER/PETROMAR Group presented the “Fumu Kaba 2.0” project, focused on promoting clean cooking solutions, while CONSOLE Guinea‑Bissau highlighted its local production of concrete poles for electricity transmission and distribution networks in Bissau—demonstrating the energy sector’s potential to generate employment and act as a catalyst for the national economy.
The discussions highlighted persistent structural challenges: (i) lack of inter‑institutional and cross‑sectoral coordination; (ii) erosion of technical capacities; (iii) limited access to electricity; (iv) market vulnerability; and (v) weak oversight and monitoring mechanisms.
At the same time, they revealed a shared ambition: to transform the energy sector into a pillar of sustainable and inclusive development in Guinea‑Bissau, through institutional strengthening, organisation and strong leadership.
The National Energy Policy responds to this ambition with a clear vision: to ensure a modern, reliable, equitable and financially sustainable energy system, guaranteeing universal access to energy.
Structured around five strategic pillars: (i) institutional strengthening, (ii) infrastructure and markets, (iii) universal access, (iv) sustainability and energy security, and (v) entrepreneurship and innovation— the policy lays the foundations for a profound transformation of the sector.
Within this framework, the Directorate‑General of Energy assumes a central role in coordinating, implementing and overseeing the sector. Strong technical leadership will be essential to ensure effective implementation of reforms and coordination among the different actors involved.
It is also important to acknowledge the support provided by ALER, which played a significant role in providing technical assistance for the drafting of the policy, contributing to its quality and alignment with international best practices.
The National Energy Policy represents a national commitment. A commitment to universal access, sustainability and development. The challenge ahead is clear: to transform vision into results through strong institutions and effective leadership.
Mohamadú Saido Baldé
Director‑General of Energy of Guinea‑Bissau