By Kadiatu Sankoh
The Weekly Ministry of Information and Civic Education Press Conference held on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, and hosted by Minister Chernor Bah, underscored significant achievements for Sierra Leone in both the global energy sector and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact.
Minister Bah proudly announced that Sierra Leone, in collaboration with Spain, has officially assumed the role of co-facilitator for the Just and Inclusive Energy Transition Platform of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) for the 2025-2026 period. The platform will be led by Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella of Sierra Leone and Laura Martin Marillo of Spain. This appointment positions Sierra Leone as a key player in the global conversation around renewable energy, emphasizing the country’s commitment to a sustainable and inclusive energy transition.
National Success with the MCC Compact.
Minister Bah expressed deep gratitude to the people of Sierra Leone for the country’s successful attainment of the $480 million MCC Compact. He highlighted the leadership of President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, and the collaborative efforts of government ministers, the opposition, the media, and civil society. Minister Bah emphasized that Sierra Leone’s success with the MCC Compact was a result of the nation’s commitment to democracy, electoral reforms, and meeting the benchmarks set by the MCC.
Ndeye Fatu Koroma, National Coordinator of the Sierra Leone Compact Development Unit, outlined the scope and impact of the MCC Compact. She highlighted that approximately 4.6 million Sierra Leoneans will benefit from the project, which aims to strengthen the country’s energy infrastructure by constructing transmission lines and substations across all regions, prioritizing agricultural and productive areas.
She emphasized that while the $480 million is held by the U.S. Treasury, funds will be released as needed throughout the project of the five-year implementation period, starting after two years mobilization phase. The project will also focus on reforming key national energy agencies, including EDSA, EGTC, and EWRC to improve service delivery, digitalize operations, and ultimately lower electricity tariffs.