By Foday Moriba Conteh
Sierra Leone has received a major boost in its drive to achieve universal electricity access following the World Bank Board’s approval of US$60 million under the first phase of the Regional Programme for Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Solutions (Regional DARES).
The funding forms part of a broader US$200 million regional financing package benefiting Sierra Leone, Benin, the Central African Republic and Liberia. It represents the first phase of an ambitious US$853 million regional initiative aimed at expanding access to clean and reliable electricity through renewable energy technologies.
According to the Ministry of Energy, the investment will support Sierra Leone’s National Energy Compact under the Mission 300 initiative by accelerating the deployment of solar home systems, mini-grids and other off-grid renewable energy solutions, particularly in rural and underserved communities where extending the national electricity grid remains both costly and challenging.
The initiative comes at a time when only 36 percent of Sierra Leone’s population has access to electricity. Through Regional DARES, the programme is expected to mobilize an additional US$54 million in private sector investment while providing reliable electricity to more than 1.2 million people and approximately 24,000 businesses across the country. Homes, schools, health facilities and commercial enterprises are expected to benefit significantly from the improved energy supply.
Beyond increasing electricity access, the programme is expected to stimulate economic growth by improving productivity among farmers, cooperatives and small businesses. It will also generate employment opportunities for young people and women through the expansion of Sierra Leone’s renewable energy value chain while supporting the country’s transition to cleaner and more climate-resilient sources of energy.
The Ministry of Energy, on behalf of President Julius Maada Bio and the Government of Sierra Leone, expressed appreciation to the World Bank Group and development partners for their continued collaboration in supporting the country’s energy sector transformation.
Minister of Energy, Cyril Grant, described the approval as another significant milestone in Sierra Leone’s journey towards universal electricity access.
“The approval of Regional DARES is another important step towards achieving universal access to electricity in Sierra Leone. Distributed renewable energy offers the fastest and most practical way to reach many of our rural communities. This investment will help bring reliable electricity to households, schools, health facilities and businesses, while creating opportunities for economic growth. We are committed to ensuring that these resources deliver real benefits for the people of Sierra Leone,” the Minister stated.
The Ministry further noted that the Regional DARES programme builds on ongoing reforms and recent investments in Sierra Leone’s energy sector, including the RESPITE Project, while complementing broader Government efforts to strengthen the electricity sector, encourage greater private sector participation and accelerate national development through sustainable energy solutions.
