By Amin Kef (Ranger)
In a key development for regional energy collaboration, Sierra Leone’s Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, held high-level talks in Abidjan with Ivory Coast’s Minister of Mines, Petroleum and Energy, Mamadou Sangafowa Coulibaly. The meeting, which took place on Monday, October 14, focused on advancing the Côte d’Ivoire-Liberia-Sierra Leone-Guinea (CLSG) interconnection project, a major initiative aimed at stabilizing energy supply across West Africa, particularly to Sierra Leone.
Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, accompanied by Sierra Leone’s Energy Governance Coordination Team, emphasized the importance of deepening cooperation to strengthen the CLSG project and the broader West Africa Power Pool (WAPP). The discussions highlighted the mutual goal of enhancing electricity supply, marking a significant step toward regional energy security.
“Today, with members of our Energy Governance Coordination Team, we met with Minister Mamadou Sangafowa Coulibaly to finalize discussions on electricity supply to Sierra Leone,” Vice President Jalloh said. “We reiterated the need to deepen cooperation to strengthen CLSG and the broader West Africa Power Pool.”
A central topic of the meeting was the finalization of plans to accelerate the CLSG interconnection project, a strategic initiative aimed at integrating power networks across the region. The discussions also addressed challenges in Sierra Leone’s electricity supply chain, exploring solutions for long-term energy sustainability. Dr. Jalloh stressed the importance of collective efforts to enhance the West Africa Power Pool, which seeks to ensure reliable and sustainable energy access across the region.
The Vice President underscored the economic benefits of improving energy infrastructure, noting that reliable electricity is critical for Sierra Leone’s economic growth and regional development. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to working together to deliver a stable and sustainable electricity supply to Sierra Leone.
This visit follows Dr. Jalloh’s arrival in Abidjan on Friday, October 11, for a series of meetings with Ivorian authorities and Transco, the agency responsible for managing the CLSG interconnection. The talks come on the heels of President Julius Maada Bio’s recent efforts to strengthen energy cooperation with Ivory Coast, signaling a shared vision for a more interconnected and resilient power network in West Africa.
The engagement builds on earlier efforts by President Bio, who in 2021 tasked Dr. Jalloh with negotiating with Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara to accelerate the delivery of electricity to Sierra Leone. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to bolster the country’s energy infrastructure and ensure a reliable power supply for its citizens.
Speaking on the broader implications of the partnership, Vice President Jalloh highlighted the importance of regional unity and private sector involvement in overcoming the infrastructure challenges that have long hindered West Africa’s energy market. “This isn’t just about electricity,” he remarked. “It’s about unlocking economic growth and improving the quality of life for our people.”
The talks in Abidjan represent a crucial step in Sierra Leone’s ongoing journey toward energy security. Dr. Jalloh’s diplomatic efforts continue to pave the way for a more integrated and prosperous West Africa, where electricity is seen not as a luxury, but a fundamental right for all.
