By Fatima Kpaka
Freetown, Sierra Leone – In a significant move to expand energy access across the country, Sierra Leone’s Parliament on Thursday, July 10, 2025, unanimously ratified two major energy agreements designed to improve the national electricity supply, with a strong emphasis on rural electrification.
The ratified agreements include:
– The African Development Fund Project Preparation Agreement for the Sierra Leone Rural Electricity Access Project (SLREAP), signed earlier this year on January 15.
– The Subsidiary Grant Agreement between the Government of Sierra Leone—represented by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Energy—for SLREAP’s preparatory phase.
Presenting the agreements, Deputy Minister of Finance 1, Kadiatu Allieu, stressed the strategic importance of upgrading the country’s energy infrastructure and increasing electricity accessibility in underserved regions.
The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Energy, Hon. Alhaji Keikura Vandi (Bo District), welcomed the initiative, underlining its targeted focus on rural electrification. He cited the high costs associated with electricity supply and outlined how kilovolt (kV) lines and transmission networks would be distributed nationwide. He described the agreements as patriotic and non-controversial, calling for urgent ratification in the interest of national development.
Supporting the motion, Hon. Tamba Kellie (Kono District) called for unity across party lines, urging Parliament to prioritize national interest over political affiliations.
Opposition Leader Hon. Abdul Kargo also praised the initiative, recognizing the complexities involved in coordinating such infrastructure projects. He encouraged the government to take an active lead in the implementation phase and proposed loan arrangements as a viable financing strategy.
Wrapping up the debate, Acting Leader of Government Business, Hon. Bashiru Silikie, reassured Parliament that a Special Implementation Unit has been established within the Ministry of Energy to oversee SLREAP. He reiterated that full implementation would follow the preparatory phase, marking a key step in the government’s energy expansion efforts.
“The ratification of these agreements marks a critical step in Sierra Leone’s efforts to expand electricity accessibility, particularly in underserved rural communities,” concluded Hon. Silikie.
This parliamentary milestone signals renewed commitment to nationwide energy development, expected to transform lives and spur economic growth in Sierra Leone’s rural areas.