The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a U.S. state development fund, has granted Sierra Leone $480 million over five years to improve access to reliable and affordable electricity for 4.6 million people. This funding aims to overhaul the country’s struggling energy infrastructure.
Currently, only about 30% of Sierra Leone’s population has access to electricity, with rural areas faring even worse—less than 5% of people outside urban centers have power.
A Transformational Investment
“This grant will transform the energy infrastructure in Sierra Leone and unleash immense investment opportunities and private sector growth,” President Julius Maada Bio announced on X, formerly Twitter.
The grant includes three major projects designed to enhance power coverage, improve the reliability of the electricity network, and promote sustainability within the sector, according to an MCC statement released on Friday.
Addressing the Energy Crisis
This substantial investment comes at a critical time for Sierra Leone. In April, the country’s energy minister resigned after a prolonged electricity crisis caused by unpaid debts totaling tens of millions of dollars to energy providers. The new funding is expected to help prevent such crises in the future and create a more stable power supply for the nation.
By bolstering the energy sector, the MCC grant is set to not only improve daily life for millions of Sierra Leoneans but also pave the way for economic growth and private investment.
Source:TRT Africa