Inauguration of Energy Efficiency Light Testing Laboratories

May 31, 2024, Banjul, The Gambia – ECREEE in collaboration with its partners commissioned and inaugurated two (2) energy efficiency light testing laboratories for the Gambia Standards Bureau (TGSB). The two testing laboratories were procured and installed through the support of ECREEE in collaboration with the key local partners in The Gambia, including the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy (MOPE), the TGSB, and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

The new facilities include a sphere energy efficiency testing laboratory and a photogoniometer light testing laboratory. The inauguration of these advanced testing laboratories places The Gambia at the forefront of energy efficiency testing in the sub-region. With these facilities, The Gambia can now test various types of lighting, including domestic, industrial, commercial, and airport lights, based on established Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS). This project was funded by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) through UNIDO.

In his inauguration welcome, the Director of the Gambia Standards Bureau Mr. Papa Secka, thanked all the partners involved in the project and underlined the relevance of the laboratories to avoid the dumping of obsolete equipment in the country. He also reiterated the willingness of the Gambia to open the laboratories to all ECOWAS member states for light testing.

On behalf of the ECREEE Executive Director, the ECOWAS Resident Representative in Gambia, her Excellency Madam Miatta Lily French, said the commissioning and inauguration came at a very opportune time for the region. The laboratories will ensure quality assurance and enhance capacities for market players and enablers, the monitoring and evaluation, and therefore protect the region again from the dumping of non-efficient equipment. The inauguration of the laboratories demonstrates once again the support of ECOWAS to its members’ states for a clean and sustainable development.