The Gambia Public Utilities Regulatory Authority Act, 2001 provides for the establishment of PURA, a multi-sector regulatory authority, to regulate the activities of providers of certain public utilities amongst them energy services (electricity, petroleum and gas), communications services (telecommunications, broadcasting and postal services), water and sewerage services and transport services (on land, water and in the air). 

Sectors currently regulated by PURA are:

COMMUNICATION

There are four service providers in the communication sector; GAMTEL (fixed line), GAMCEL, AFRICELL and COMIUM (GSM). A third GSM service provider, Q Cell, bringing the total communication service providers to five will become operational in early 2009. Read more.

ELECTRICITY

The regulation of the electricity sector also falls under the purview of PURA. During the past three years significant development has occured in the sector. The sector is governed by The Electricity Act  which sets out obligations required in liberalising and improving the overall generation, supply and distribution of electricity. Read more....

WATER & SEWERAGE

The responsibility for potable water service provision rests with NAWEC, whose activities are largely limited to the Greater Banjul Area and the 10 Provincial Growth Centres. Water in the Greater Banjul Area is obtained from underground sources.  Read more...

Sectors not yet regulated under PURA's mandate and to be regulated in the near future are:

• Broadcasting

• Postal Services

• Transport Services