By Amin Kef (Ranger)
The Government of Sierra Leone, on Wednesday December 13, 2023 proudly announced that the nation has been re-selected by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Board of Directors to continue the Compact Development. The decision was chaired by U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken and underscores a renewed faith in Sierra Leone’s efforts to address issues raised by the MCC Board back in September.
The proposed Compact is set to enhance the reliability and affordability of electricity in Sierra Leone. The project will catalyze private sector involvement in the power supply, double the energy transmission capacity, expand access in select towns, and strengthen sector governance and institutional capacity. Having concluded the Core feasibility studies to determine the scope of the Compact, Sierra Leone is now poised to negotiate the final terms with the MCC.
Sierra Leone’s re-selection was notably influenced by its performance on the MCC Scorecard, which it passed for the fifth consecutive time in November 2023. Upon receiving the scorecard, President Julius Maada Bio stated that, “the most valuable contribution MCC has made to Sierra Leone to date has been the provision of an objective framework to engage and assess Sierra Leone’s development aspirations reflecting both national expectations and international benchmarks.”
The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to critical reforms that will deepen democracy, improve the investment climate, and enhance human capital development, in line with the MCC’s principles.
This anticipated Compact is set to address the pressing energy constraint, playing a significant role in driving economic growth and reducing poverty for the people of Sierra Leone.
