By Amin Kef (Ranger)
His Excellency Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, has appointed George Taylor as the new Director General of the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA), with immediate effect. The appointment forms part of the Government’s ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening governance, efficiency and service delivery within the country’s energy sector.
According to official sources, the decision reflects President Bio’s confidence in George Taylor’s vast experience in administration, banking, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), as well as his proven track record in institutional transformation. The Ministry of Energy has reaffirmed the President’s strong commitment to transparency, accountability and the sustainable transformation of Sierra Leone’s electricity distribution system.
On Monday, 2 February 2026, the Minister of Energy, Cyril Arnold Grant, formally received and welcomed the new Director General at a ceremony held in the conference room of the Ministry of Energy in Freetown. Minister Cyril Grant described George Taylor’s assumption of office as timely, noting that EDSA is at a critical juncture in its reform journey.
“George Taylor is here riding on the crest of a highly respected background,” Minister Cyril Grant said. “We have examined his credentials carefully and we are highly impressed. EDSA is expected to go into concession in the coming months and this requires decisive leadership that can seize this historic moment and drive transformation.”
Cyril Grant further noted that George Taylor assumes office at a time when EDSA faces significant challenges, including financial constraints, operational inefficiencies and staff-related concerns. He emphasized that EDSA remains one of the largest public utilities in the country by turnover, stressing that it must be properly managed, financially stabilized and repositioned to better serve both employees and consumers.
A seasoned banker and ICT specialist, George Taylor rose through the ranks of the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank (SLCB), eventually serving as its Managing Director. During his tenure, the bank recorded a major turnaround, moving from financial distress to sustained profitability and paying dividends to the Government of Sierra Leone as its principal shareholder. He is also widely credited with mentoring a generation of young bankers, many of whom now occupy key decision-making positions within the institution.
Speaking at the event, the Board Chairman of EDSA, Andrew Kailie, confirmed that George Taylor underwent a rigorous recruitment and interview process conducted by the Board and was found to be suitably qualified. He assured the new Director General of the Board’s full support, while underscoring the enormity of the task ahead.
Outgoing Acting Director General, Tesman Egbe, expressed gratitude to stakeholders for their guidance and cooperation during his tenure. He highlighted what he described as unprecedented operational gains achieved under his leadership despite prevailing challenges.
In his acceptance remarks, George Taylor, acknowledged the difficult realities confronting the utility but expressed optimism and determination. He pledged to work collaboratively with the Board, Management, staff and stakeholders to deepen reforms, improve revenue generation and enhance service delivery. Emphasizing teamwork and mutual respect, he noted that meaningful progress would only be achieved through collective effort.
With the energy sector playing a pivotal role in the Government’s national development agenda, including the Feed Salone initiative, stakeholders view George Taylor’s appointment as a significant step toward consolidating recent gains and restoring public confidence in electricity distribution. As congratulatory messages continue to pour in from across the country, expectations are high that his leadership will steer EDSA toward greater efficiency, financial sustainability and improved service for Sierra Leoneans.
