By Fatima Kpaka
Freetown, Sierra Leone – June 20, 2025 — Sierra Leone’s ambitious energy reform program, Mission 300 (M300), drew strong investor attention at the Africa Energy Forum in Cape Town, where it was presented for the first time to an international private-sector audience, according to a statement from the Ministry of Energy.
The delegation, led by energy sector lead Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, pitched the five-year roadmap, which aims to double electricity access by 2030 through renewable energy and off-grid solutions. The session attracted considerable interest from among the 6,000 delegates in attendance.
The primary presentation was delivered by Madam Ndeye Sesay, supported by Mr. Peter Kaindanneh. The M300 Compact is co-chaired by Minister of Finance Sheku Fantamadi Bangura and Dr. Yumkella, under the strategic guidance of President Julius Maada Bio, who also serves as Minister of Energy.
Backed by global financiers such as the World Bank, African Development Bank, the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), and the Rockefeller Foundation, the M300 Compact seeks nearly $3 billion in investment, including $1 billion in new private sector capital.
The Compact prioritizes infrastructure development across the electricity value chain, including transmission upgrades, expanded distribution, and power generation to serve households, industries, and mineral processing zones. Emphasis is placed on value addition within Sierra Leone’s borders to spur job creation, increase income, and boost government revenue.
Officials say the Compact introduces a new model of partnership between government, donors, and investors, centered on a unified national plan with clear priorities. “Access to energy is a game changer,” the release states, positioning M300 as a catalyst for transformative growth across all sectors.