His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio on the 5th June, 2025 officially launched the Salone Off-Grid Renewable Energy Acceleration (SOGREA) Initiative; an €34 million (SLE 830 million) flagship solar mini-grid project funded by the European Union and implemented in partnership with UNOPS and Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), marking a landmark move to accelerate Sierra Leone’s green energy transition and expand access to affordable electricity.
The SOGREA Initiative represents a major milestone in the Government of Sierra Leone’s ambition to achieve universal access to sustainable energy by 2040, with a target of increasing rural electrification by 2027. The project will support the deployment of at least 5.2 megawatts peak (MWp) of solar generation capacity to power approximately 25,000 households and 2,800 businesses across 60 rural communities.
Speaking at the official launch ceremony at State House in Freetown, President Bio reaffirmed his Government’s unwavering commitment to sustainable development. “This is more than an energy project—it’s about ending energy poverty, empowering communities and ensuring every child studies with light and every woman is liberated from the burden of firewood,” the President declared. “This initiative is a testament to our commitment to inclusive growth and our readiness to deliver on the National Development Plan.”
Currently, only 36% of Sierra Leoneans have access to electricity, with just 6% coverage in rural areas. SOGREA aims to dramatically reverse this disparity by blending public and private investment in a catalytic model that incentivizes developers to finance, construct and operate mini-grids through a milestone-triggered capital expenditure (CAPEX) reimbursement framework.
EU Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Jacek Jankowski, emphasized the EU’s support for Sierra Leone’s energy ambitions. “We are proud to partner with the Government on this transformative journey,” he stated. “The introduction of a Milestone-Triggered CAPEX Support mechanism not only demonstrates innovation but also offers a scalable solution for rural electrification. The EU’s €34 million investment, €22 million of which is direct support, underscores our commitment to a clean, resilient and inclusive energy future.”
The project, guided by revised energy regulations and strengthened governance frameworks, is designed to bridge the affordability gap by aligning tariffs with the financial capacities of rural households. The Government of Sierra Leone has committed SLE 50 million in counterpart funding and will continue to refine the legal and regulatory architecture, including updates to the Sierra Leone Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission (SLEWRC) laws to facilitate implementation.
Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Food Security (PI-CREF), hailed the project as a “game-changer for rural development.” He credited President Bio’s leadership for creating an enabling environment that attracts private sector investment and ensures regulatory certainty.
SOGREA will also pioneer environmental sustainability in the renewable sector by addressing end-of-life battery and panel disposal. A pilot circular waste management model will be introduced to mitigate the environmental impact of solar installations, ensuring a greener and more responsible energy transition.
According to Jorge Moreira da Silva, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UNOPS, “Energy is at the heart of development. Through SOGREA, we are delivering practical, impactful solutions that will uplift communities and drive long-term prosperity.”
Beyond electrification, SOGREA is expected to unlock economic opportunities, generate employment and empower women and youth; especially in underserved and remote communities. The initiative aligns with key priorities under Sierra Leone’s Medium-Term National Development Plan (2024–2030), particularly in areas of technology, infrastructure, food security, youth employment and public sector transformation.
Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO of SEforALL and UN Special Representative for Sustainable Energy, praised the project’s holistic model: “SOGREA shows what’s possible when Governments, development partners and the private sector work together with vision and urgency. By aligning incentives and fostering innovation, we are creating a renewable energy ecosystem that benefits everyone.”
SOGREA will also pilot two non-solar renewable energy projects, exploring mini-hydro, biomass, wind and tidal sources, to diversify Sierra Leone’s clean energy mix and expand resilience.
The launch of SOGREA is a beacon of hope for thousands of families, a magnet for green investment, and a bold declaration of Sierra Leone’s leadership in the renewable energy future of West Africa as the country powers forward on its path to climate resilience and inclusive development.
SOGREA initiative is a cornerstone of Sierra Leone’s Energy Transition and Green Growth Plan (ETGGP), launched in November 2024. The plan aims to install 132 MW of mini-grids and requires a total investment of USD 547 million for mini-grid and solar home systems to achieve universal energy access by 2040.
