Sierra Leone has achieved a major milestone under the visionary leadership of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, as the country has qualified to join the second cohort of beneficiaries of the Mission 300 initiative. This transformative program, backed by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the World Bank Group (WBG) and other global partners, aims to electrify 300 million people across Africa by 2030.
At the inaugural Africa Heads of State Energy Summit held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on January 28, 2025, President Bio, alongside other heads of state, global leaders, private sector representatives and development partners, played a key role in shaping Africa’s path toward universal energy access. During the summit, the partners secured USD 48 billion from AfDB and WBG, with an additional USD 5 billion in new funding pledges, bringing the total funding for Mission 300 to over $50 billion over the next six years.
Sierra Leone’s inclusion in the second cohort highlights the country’s dedication to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 – ensuring affordable, reliable and sustainable energy for all. The country has officially endorsed the Dar es Salaam Energy Compact Declaration, solidifying its commitment to define specific energy targets and timelines that align with its National Development Plan.
The first cohort of Mission 300 beneficiaries includes 12 countries: Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, and Zambia. Sierra Leone’s qualification to join the second cohort is a testament to its significant progress in energy sector reform. The country’s accomplishments, which include the Just Energy Transition and Green Growth Plan, as well as an ambitious target to deploy 200 mini-grids under its Rural Electrification Drive, have played a pivotal role in securing its place in this prestigious program.
Additionally, Sierra Leone has secured crucial support from Raj Shah, President of the Rockefeller Foundation, who has pledged to assist the country in developing its National Energy Compact. This partnership is expected to further strengthen Sierra Leone’s energy transformation efforts.
By becoming part of Mission 300, Sierra Leone stands ready to harness the opportunities of this groundbreaking initiative to deliver transformative energy solutions for its citizens. This commitment to clean and reliable energy will not only improve living standards, reduce poverty and drive economic growth within the country, but also contribute to the broader goal of sustainable development across Africa.
With the support of Mission 300, Sierra Leone is on track to lead the way in Africa’s energy revolution, helping the continent achieve a cleaner, more inclusive and sustainable future.
