By Fatima Kpaka
Vienna, Austria – April 9, 2026: President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has urged global leaders to link energy access directly to economic transformation, positioning green industrialisation as a cornerstone for stability and shared prosperity in developing nations.
Speaking at a high-level roundtable on “Green Industrialisation for Stability and Shared Prosperity” during the International Vienna Energy Forum, President Bio stressed that energy must serve as more than just access—it must power production, create jobs, and strengthen livelihoods.
“For countries like Sierra Leone, energy is not the end goal, it is the engine of production, jobs, and stability,” he said.
The President outlined Sierra Leone’s strategy of aligning energy development with productive sectors through initiatives such as Feed Salone, which supports irrigation, agro-processing, cold storage, and rural enterprises. He emphasized that distributed renewable energy solutions—mini-grids and stand-alone systems—offer the fastest route to scaling access, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
President Bio highlighted Sierra Leone’s clean cooking transition as an example of how targeted reforms and investments are creating new value chains and enterprises, especially for women. He described green industrialisation as a significant opportunity for economic growth and resilience.
Referencing ongoing collaborations with international partners, Bio noted efforts to accelerate decentralised energy access and strengthen private sector participation. As Chairman of ECOWAS, he said regional alignment of markets and project pipelines is underway to attract larger-scale investment.
Looking ahead, he announced Sierra Leone’s plan to operationalise a Distributed Renewable Energy and Clean Cooking Acceleration Initiative within 12 months under its Mission 300 Compact. The initiative will focus on scaling solar energy for productive use, expanding clean cooking access, and mobilising blended finance through partnerships with development institutions and private investors.
President Bio underscored the need for more accessible and affordable financing, pointing out that high capital costs and risk perceptions continue to limit investment in developing economies. He reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s readiness to serve as a demonstration country for impactful energy solutions, stressing that the ultimate goal is not just increased power generation but improved livelihoods and long-term stability.