The outage, which began in the early hours of the morning, affected customers of major telecommunications providers and internet service operators, compounding public frustration over the ongoing power crisis.
In a statement posted on its official social media platforms, Gamtel confirmed that it was experiencing a service outage affecting internet connectivity.
“Our technical teams are actively investigating the cause and working diligently to restore services as quickly as possible. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your patience and understanding while we work to resolve the issue,” the telecommunications provider stated.
The disruption affected subscribers of GSM operators including Africell and Comium, as well as other internet service providers that depend on the country’s telecommunications infrastructure.
A source familiar with the situation told The Point that the outage was linked to a loss of power at the ACE submarine cable station in Sukuta, a critical facility that connects The Gambia to international internet networks.
According to the source, the station reportedly lost power following the ongoing electricity disruptions, affecting the operation of the submarine cable system.
“The ACE Cable Station in Sukuta ran out of power, which is why the internet went down. The submarine cable is a powerful system and once it loses power, it takes time for it to recharge and restore connectivity,” the source explained.
The source added that the cable system stretches thousands of kilometres beneath the Atlantic Ocean and requires substantial power to function effectively.
“When electricity supply is interrupted, backup generators are activated. If those generators fail or stop functioning, the system relies on batteries. Once the batteries are depleted, the cable system shuts down completely and requires time to recharge before services can resume,” the source said.
The internet outage comes at a particularly difficult time for many Gambians already struggling with prolonged power cuts that have affected homes, businesses and public institutions.
In several communities across the Greater Banjul Area, the electricity crisis has also disrupted water supply systems, leaving residents facing a dual challenge of unreliable power and limited access to water.
Africell, one of the country’s largest mobile network operators, acknowledged the disruption and assured customers that efforts were underway to restore services as quickly as possible.
The blackout triggered widespread public reaction, with many Gambians taking to social media to express their frustration over the deteriorating state of essential services.
Among them was Kemo Bojang, spokesperson of the Unite Movement for Change (UMC), who summed up the public mood in a social media post stating: “No light, no water, and now no internet.”
Civil society activists and rights advocates have also raised concerns about the broader implications of the crisis.
Speaking to The Point, Omar Camara, spokesperson for Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA), said the situation had escalated beyond a routine utility problem and was now affecting critical sectors of national life.
“We are not only experiencing persistent power outages, but also widespread internet disruptions and communication blackouts. These challenges are affecting businesses, hospitals, schools and many other services that people depend on daily,” he said.
Camara noted that reliable electricity and internet access have become essential components of modern life and economic development.
“Technology drives business, education, healthcare and communication. The absence of reliable electricity and internet connectivity is not merely an inconvenience; it has serious social and economic consequences for individuals, institutions and the country as a whole,” he said.
He further argued that the disruptions have implications for citizens’ rights, particularly access to information and participation in public life.
“In an increasingly digital world, access to information and communication is fundamental. Reliable power and internet services are no longer luxuries; they are essential public services that support development, economic growth and civic participation,” he added.
As authorities and service providers work to restore normal operations, many Gambians are hoping for a swift resolution to both the internet outage and the prolonged electricity crisis that has disrupted daily life and heightened public concern across the country.
