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Standard Times Newspaper, Freetown (2025)

04/11/2025

President Bio Launches IFAD and Ministry of Agriculture–Financed Rural Farmers Radio 98.9 FM in Kambia.

Kambia, Sierra Leone – 31st October 2025:
During the national World Food Day celebration held in Kambia, His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio officially launched the Rural Farmers Radio 98.9 FM, marking another milestone in Sierra Leone’s drive to transform and modernize its agricultural sector.
The new radio station is a groundbreaking initiative jointly financed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Government of Sierra Leone. Hence it was established through the Rural Finance and Community Improvement Programme (RFCIP) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS). The station seeks to empower rural communities and smallholder farmers through improved access to agricultural information, financial literacy and market opportunities.
Covering 75 percent of the country, the Rural Farmers Radio 98.9 FM will serve as a key communication platform delivering programmes on modern agronomic practices, climate-smart agriculture, market updates and entrepreneurship. The initiative also aims to promote self-reliance and behavioral change among farmers helping them shift from subsistence to commercial agriculture.
Declaring the station officially open, President Bio affirmed that “this radio is here to stay,” describing it as a vital tool to enhance agricultural awareness, promote market access and support the government’s ongoing efforts to achieve food security under the Feed Salone Initiative. He commended IFAD for their strong partnership and continued investment in transforming rural livelihoods through access to finance and information dissemination.
“I am Julius Maada Bio the President of Sierra Leone, an active farmer with passion for farming because it is good for the nation because we can feed ourselves and create jobs for young Sierra Leoneans. I am calling on young Sierra Leoneans to grow what we eat and eat what we grow. This is my first time talking to you from this radio and it will not be the last cause I will be coming here to share my own experience as a farmer.”
In her statement, the IFAD Country Director, Madam Pascaline Barankeba, highlighted the event as a celebration of three important milestones; the commemoration of World Food Day, the second anniversary of the Feed Salone Initiative and the launch of the Livestock and Livelihoods Development Project (LLDP) alongside the historic opening of Sierra Leone’s first Rural Farmers Radio.
“Another important milestone today is the launch of Rural Farmers Radio, a first of its kind in Sierra Leone,” Madam Barankeba said. “This radio, initiated by the Government of Sierra Leone with IFAD’s support through the Rural Finance Programme, will bridge information gaps, strengthen financial literacy and connect farmers to real-time agricultural advice, markets, and weather updates. It represents the power of communication as a driver of transformation for rural communities across Sierra Leone.”
President Bio emphasized that effective communication remains central to the success of the Feed Salone Initiative, as it ensures farmers across the country are informed, motivated and equipped to adopt improved agricultural practices.
A major enabler of the station’s extensive reach is the support received by the radio from Africell Mobile Company, which is providing access to its nationwide telephone towers and 24-hour power supply to ensure uninterrupted broadcasting across Sierra Leone.
The launch event was led by Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, and attended by senior government officials, representatives of IFAD, staff of the RFCIP, the Apex Bank, local authorities and hundreds of community members. Participants commended the initiative as a timely and strategic intervention to close the information gap between farmers and all stakeholders in the agricultural sector.
Currently, IFAD is financing three major agricultural projects in Sierra Leon and they include: the Rural Finance and Community Improvement Programme (RFCIP), the Agriculture Value Chain Development Project (AVDP) and the Livestock and Livelihoods Development Project (LLDP), all aimed at strengthening rural transformation and ensuring sustainable food systems across SierraLeone.
The General Manager for Rural Farmers Radio George Nyambe Williams whose sound stewardship was rewarded for leading the first Rural Farmers radio in Sierra Leone, could not hide his excitement for the accomplishment and therefore expressed deep gratitude to all and sundry for the convivial support in turning a dream into action. In his own words; “Special appreciation goes to the vision carriers and others who dared to dream of a voice for rural communities. The Rural Finance and Community Improvement Programme (RFCIP) for championing this initiative, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security for embracing and owning it, IFAD for the visionary funding support and Africell for powering the Radio that now connects farmers across our nation.”

01/11/2025

National Pentecostal Mission 16th Biennial Conference
By Betty Kamara

It was a resonate of fanfare at the main headquarters of the National Pentecostal Mission and the Diaspora, Fort Street in Freetown as the congregation converged again to etched out the wayforward for the next two years under the stewardship of His Grace the Bishop and Head of Mission The Right Rev. Benjamin B Bangura with the Theme ‘Entering into God’s rest’ Hebrews 4:1.

The meeting which commences yesterday 29th October 2024 will end on Friday 31st October 2024 brought to parley key stakeholders from the four zones in the Mission under a single roof for the remaining days in high spirit of oneness and love.

Dilating on the theme for this year, the guest preacher Bishop Morgan Bendu acknowledged the Mission’s unfettered contributions and upholding its values towards Christendom and the nation as a whole. He dived deeper on the theme by saying that as Christians we should always encouraged each other by faith with a clean heart for each other which will salvage a way of entering into God’s eternal rest, ‘one thing we all need in life is the rest of God in obedience to His command.’ He said encouraging one and another irrespective of positions is one key way of entering God’s rest, adding that miracles, faith and rest work in the lives of those that do the doings of God, and disobedience is one of the reasons why brethren are not receiving God’s miracles and blessings.
However, he concluded in admonishing everyone to love and be obedience in God’s Vineyard for surely we will one day account for our deeds.
Talking to the Press, the Head of Mission, Bishop Benjamin Bangura flanked by the deputy head of Mission Rev. Sorie E Mansaray, Zonal Superintendents Rev. Mary S Kamara (Supt. West East Zone), Rev. Markinnon B. Kamara (Supt West Zone), Rev. Titus A.G Sesay (Supt North /Kono) and the Director of Evangelism Rev. John Simpeleh Mansaray, he explicitly explained the way thus far with valuable gains in terms of spirituality and social aspect. The Mission is proud to have contributed immensely towards human capital development and the socio-economic impact of the nation, he explained, adding further that the mission doesn’t only focus on spirituality but also to capacitate individuals in and out of the mission by empowerment through tertiary and university institutions thereby making self- reliance and very instrumental in national development.
These individual transformations will definitely discourage hatred and all other vices among members due to the growth they have achieved thus far, he said, he went further to say that this year’s Biannual conference is very peculiar from the previous ones, ‘for the growth the mission had achieved within this short period among individuals that are willing to contributes in supporting the activities of the mission is of great essence.’
He highlighted the sustainable growth in maintaining the achievement gained in the area of education and spirituality which according him are the bedrock for a sustainable membership, maintaining that as a self-supportive mission they have embarked on several developmental projects that gears towards growth.
In the area of evangelism, Bishop Bangura explained that it is one of the keys in every mission done in various ways and should be prioritized by every visionary leader and worth emulating by every Christian, ‘touching members lives both spiritual and physical ease in the spreading of the word of God.
The conference continues and will definitely ends on Friday 31st October 2025.

27/10/2025

POLICE DISRUPT “WE DUTI” PEACE MEETING AT BINTUMANI HOTEL

By Salamatu Sillah
What was meant to be a peaceful dialogue for unity and progress turned tense on Friday, October 24, when police officers disrupted a citizen-led program titled “We-Duti”, organized by patriotic Sierra Leonean Zainab Sherif at the Bintumani Hotel in Freetown.

The event, which had drawn participants from across the country, was designed to promote peace, national unity, and women’s leadership, while encouraging Sierra Leoneans to communicate more openly about the country’s future. However, moments before the program was scheduled to begin, police officers reportedly ordered everyone to vacate the premises, claiming that the organizers had not obtained a police clearance.

According to Sherif, she had booked the hotel days ahead of the program and made all necessary preparations. But a day before the event, she received a call from a police officer who informed her that a security meeting had taken place, during which it was noted that certain groups—identified as “Kush Boys”—were planning to rally on the same day. The officer allegedly warned that without a police clearance, the “We-Duti” meeting could not proceed. Despite Sherif’s explanations that her gathering was peaceful and non-political, police officers arrived on the day of the event and reportedly drove her guests out of the venue, forcing the cancellation of the much-anticipated discussion.

“The Police disgraced the people I invited,” Sherif told reporters. “They said we needed a police clearance before any meeting could be held. Maybe they think I wanted to tell people that I want to become the next president for the 2028 elections — but that was never my plan. This event was simply about peace, unity, and change.”

In her message before the disruption, Sherif had emphasized the need for positive change and stronger communication between the government and citizens. She expressed concern that after 64 years of independence, Sierra Leone continues to face economic and social challenges that have left many citizens frustrated and disillusioned.

She also highlighted the importance of language and inclusivity, noting that politicians often use Krio during campaigns to win support but switch to English once in office, a language that many Sierra Leoneans do not fully understand.

“About 70 percent of our people are uneducated, while only 30 percent can read and write English,” Sherif said. “We must talk to the people in a language they understand. We want Sierra Leone to move forward, and that can only happen when communication is open and honest.”

Sherif further used the platform to call for greater participation of women in politics, including the election of a female Vice President in the upcoming 2028 general elections, regardless of party lines. “We are thirsty for women’s leadership,” she declared. “Women can bring empathy, wisdom, and integrity to national leadership. The time for women to lead is now.”

Despite the setback, Sherif said the We-Duti movement — meaning “We Stand” — will continue to advocate for peace, national cohesion, and citizen empowerment. She urged Sierra Leoneans not to be silenced by fear or intimidation. “Sierra Leoneans must learn to speak up, be wise, and communicate with boldness,” she said. “We cannot develop our nation if we are too afraid to express our opinions. True democracy thrives on freedom of speech and mutual respect.”

She condemned what she described as a growing culture of insensitivity and selfishness, stating that many citizens have become indifferent to the suffering of others. “In Sierra Leone today, it seems the only way to survive is to be a psychopath — to see another person in pain and feel nothing,” Sherif remarked. “But we, the women of Sierra Leone, refuse to be like that. We choose empathy and compassion.”

Despite the disruption, Zainab Sherif said she remains undeterred. She promised to continue engaging communities across Sierra Leone to spread the message of peace, unity, and women’s empowerment. “I believe in Sierra Leone,” she said firmly. “No obstacle will stop us from pushing for the positive change we want. We will continue to stand — We-Duti — for peace, for unity, and for a better Sierra Leone.”

23/10/2025

INNAA LILLAHI WA INNAA ILAIHI RAJI’OON
In gratitude to God for a life well spent
24th October, 2025 marks the Twelve Year Anniversary of the Home Call of our Dear, Father, Husband, Brother and Friend of the Late ALHAJI MAHMUD EMKAY SESAY aka MK Sesay
Retired Senior Inspector of Schools
Formally of Njawaila Section, Taiama, Kori Chiefdom
As a Mentor, a Disciplinarian, an Educationist, and a Father to us, your memories will continue to linger in our minds.
We love and cherish you, but God loves you the most, Dad! sleep and take your rest. May God admit your precious soul in the Garden of Heaven under which Rivers of Milk and Horney flow.
From your wife Mama Iye Sesay. Children: Mrs. Aminata Kaikai and Mrs. Grace Mbalu Wilson-Jones in Banjul, Mrs. Macortho Sesay of Njala University, Kabba Papa Sesay –, Dr Mahmud Emkay Sesay Lecturer Njala University, Morrisson Sesay – Head Teacher at Taiama, Chief Police Inspector Mohamed Sesay CID, Infa Kabba Sesay – Chairman Police Partnership Board, Taiama, Mrs. Adama Kaifala – Head Teacher SLUIM Primary School, New London, Isata Sesay of Freetown, Mahmud Kabba Sesay

in Kenema, Bintu Rabbi Sesay, and Mustapha Sesay Managing Editor of the Standard Times Newspaper
Also from your brothers, sisters, relatives, friends, grand children and great grand children.
Continue To Rest In Perfect Peace Ameen!!!

22/10/2025

Promoting Investment and Job Creation
…Sierra Leone and Morocco tighten Economic Ties
By Salifu Conteh
At the Africa Executive Meetings 2025 (AEM) held at the Radisson Blu in Freetown on Monday 20th October 2025, through the new economic partnership and investment initiatives, both countries (Sierra Leone and Morocco) have tightened their economic ties by reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation.
The meeting brought experts of both countries together to chart the way forward and thereby signing four MOUs to deepen investment growth and youth entrepreneurship. The Moroccan delegation, comprising prominent investors and business leaders, frankly conversed with Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in Freetown, discussing potential collaborations in education, agriculture, fisheries, youth development, communication, and infrastructure.

The four MOUs includes: a Cooperate MOU between the Kenema City (represented by His Worship the Mayor of Kenema) and the City of Dakhla, Morocco, which gears towards identifying opportunities in the two regions; another is between the three Chambers ( Africa Chambers of Commerce and Services, the Chambers of Dakhla and the Sierra Leone Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture), which focuses on identifying a collective opportunity bringing in private sector and sharing different technology, the next was signed by one of the Commissioners from the Youth Commission of Sierra Leone which gears towards opening a free training center and job creations for the youths, and lastly was between the Chambers and the National Investment Board of Sierra Leone, which looked at identifying how the Chambers can bring investment in the Country.
The meeting also featured short video presentation on Dakhla’s investment potential, particularly in sectors such as the blue economy, renewable energy, and sustainable tourism-areas identified

In his succinct statement, the Charge d’Affairs of the Embassy of Morocco to Sierra Leone, Khalid Akhsas disclosed that Morocco and Sierra Leone are closely working together in key areas like Education and training, Infrastructure and ports, Agriculture and food security, Youth entrepreneurship, and Trade and investment. The upcoming Coding and Digital Innovation Center, he said, developed by Morocco and Silicon Valley partners is one exciting project, underscoring that the center will train young people in Coding, Digital Skills, and Entrepreneurship thereby helping them build successful futures in the digital economy.

Furthermore, he stated that another key cooperative area has to do with infrastructure and logistics, noting that the port of Dakhla Atlantic, which is under construction presently will become a major trading hub across the Atlantic, ushering new opportunities for African markets and improving on the continent’s logistics network.
This effort is part of the Atlantic African States Innovative, led by His Majesty King Mohammed VI- of Morocco, bringing together Atlantic-facing African countries to cooperate on trade, maritime security, and the blue economy, he averred.
He applauded the strides of President Bio (Sierra Leone) and His Majesty King Mohammed VI (morocco) in promoting investment and job creation, and further encouraged all and sundry to focus on practical solutions, on how to turn ideas into action and partnerships into real results, he concluded by reaffirming Morocco’s strong and lasting commitment to its partnership with Sierra Leone.
The President of the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab Region, Yanja EL Khattat said the meeting is far beyond just an institutional event but rather a message of fraternity and cooperation embodying both countries shared will in transforming their historical ties in economic, culture and human partnership that promote shared perspectives.
He said the Region of Dakhla-Ouad Eddahab is located in the southern part of Morocco at a geographic crossroad, a gateway to West Africa connecting naturally to the Atlantic shores of Sierra Leone. Between the Atlantic Port of Dakhlar currently under massive construction and the Port facilities of Freetown there is a clear complementation that can build an integrated maritime network, facilitating trade and opening new pathways of cooperation.
The First Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services of the Region of Dakhla Mr. Michane Mohmed Habat, said his organization is committed to mobilizing all energies around three priority areas: building an inclusive economy, empowering youth, women and SMEs; creating integrated African value chains in Agribusiness, energy, digital services, and logistics; and thirdly strengthening regional complementaries, turning the differences into strengths, and commonalities into levers of integration
He disclosed that between Sierra Leone and Morocco, and other nations they can build a sustainable, united and forward-looking economy, and CACS is ready to work alongside the AEM in turning ideas into action, project into success, and ambitions into tangible results.
The Vice President II, Chambers of Commerce Madam Edleen Ella said the MOU establishes a framework for better collaboration between the different chambers in fostering trade investment and business cooperation and further promotes economic information and developing training and expertise.

The Executive Director for Sierra Leone’s National Investment Board, Dr. Hinga Sandy elucidated on the importance of his organization and its open door policies that gear towards luring potential investors into the country. He said what was a burden in the past to register a business is can now be easily done on a single day, revealing also that very soon investors wanting to invest in the country can do so through the internet anywhere conducive.
Dr. said the agreement with the Dakhla Region justifies growth for both countries, noting that the Kingdom of Dakhla has been very generous in the promotion of trade and investment within the two countries. He said the National Investment Board has been receptive to all legal trade investments in the country and noted that the agreement with Morocco is not an exception.
He asserts that they look forward to having more investors in the agriculture sector with the feed salone program, which is a flagship agenda in President Bio's Governance. He said the country has natural resources like timber, pineapple, and several products that will initiate agricultural value-added products. He said the government will continue to look await and seek thriving business investments in the country
Also the Deputy Minister of Trade Madam Kargbo applauded the executive meeting and assured the delegates that Sierra Leone has a perfect business friendly atmosphere, and therefore lured them to take advantage of the opportunity now thrust before them.
The Mayor of Kenema, His Worship, Thomas Karim Baio, told the delegates that Kenema has a rich potential in areas like Agriculture, Mining, and other facilities which can be tapped into to enhance growth and development. Kenema district like Dakhla has valuable youths with immense possibilities to make a better society.
In an interview, Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Morocco HE Alhaji Momodu Koroma said Dakhla is a very significant city in Africa with massive developments with valuable meaning. After several consultations, he went on, by the Government of Sierra Leone and Morocco, government has established a Consulate General in that region.
He said Dakhla is like a work yard in Morocco with much investment from the government of Morocco building one of the largest Port with three sections in it: Fish Harbor, Shipyard and a Container Terminal, meant to help Africa, ‘it is also a hub for tourism.’
He further disclosed that the MOU is between the Region of Dakhla and Kenema City paving the grounds for cooperation, therefore the heads of those Regions (Dakhla and Kenema) should now engage each other with a deep sense of understanding and there is a lot contained therein.
For instance, he noted, Kenema has a huge potential for agriculture, mining etc., which Dakhla could tap from, adding also that from what we envisaged the partnership will now transcend to practical implementation of ideas. In terms of energy, the Ambassador stated that on the solar system Dakhla has the largest solar installation in Africa, and this is one key area we can tap from as a nation to improve our energy sector, he emphasized, noting also that currently the IT people are taking the hubs to Bo, Kenema and beyond and without energy it can be difficult to access.
Ambassador Alhaji said they intend to improve market network for adequate cooperation on trade. He said the partnership between Morocco and Sierra Leone will continue to initiate more results in diverse ways, noting that today's agreement serves as a landmark example
Similarly, the Kenema Mayor, His Worship Thomas Karim Baio, described the MOU as a framework contract and it behooves the leadership of the two cities to neatly engage each other for its fruition.
‘Signing is not the end of the process as that they would do a follow up on the sign to ensuring it fruition, by engaging with those concern,’ he added.
The Executive Director for Web4Jobs, Med Aymane BOUNRI, said his organization is a concept of Coding Centers, a new generations of skills of coding operating in Sub Sahara Africa and other countries. He said the Coding Center in Dakhla, in collaboration with Web4Jobs (W4J) is an initiative designed to equip youth with digital and technological skills for the future job market.
For now, the first Coding Center in Sierra Leone will be in Freetown and then Kenema, adding that the Centre will definitely support the youths to develop their IT skill, find jobs globally, access evolution. It is a laudable initiative that opens more opportunities for young people in Sierra Leone to hit the market globally.
The Secretary General for Africa Commerce and Services. Youssef Koun, who also moderated the event, revealed that the signing was for four different entities. Firstly, it is the Cooperative MOU, signed between the two Cities (City of Kenema and Dakhla), to identify opportunities within them; secondly, it is the signing between three Chambers: Africa Chambers of Commerce and Services, the Chambers of Dakhla and the Sierra Leone Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture. This one focuses on identifying a collective opportunity in other to bring private sector and sharing different technology.
The third category has to do with youth entrepreneurship, thereby opening a free training center for young people, signed by one of the Commissioners – Youth Commission, and the last MOU which is to identify how the Chambers can bring in investment in the country, signed by the Chambers and the NIB.
Sierra Leone’s Consul General to the Dakhla Region, Madam Zainab Kande, underscored that the Africa Executive Meeting serves as a vital platform for building lasting relationships between Moroccan and Sierra Leonean partners, adding that the opening of the consulate in Dakhla solidifies Sierra Leone's support for the "Moroccan Sahara" and strengthens bilateral ties between the two countries.
She underlined that the MoU) signed between the City Council of Kenema (Sierra Leone) and Dakhla-Oued Eddahab Region (Morocco) represents a significant milestone in strengthening cooperation between the two regions. The agreement, she noted, focuses on promoting education, youth empowerment, and investment opportunities, as well as encouraging joint initiatives in trade and development.
The Consul General further informed journalists that the MoU will function as a twinning partnership between Kenema and Dakhla, opening doors for new investments, educational exchanges, and the establishment of youth development centers.
“These business and cooperation agreements give hope for a brighter future for our young people and will help create more job opportunities, especially for Sierra Leoneans,” she averred.
Madam Kande reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s unwavering support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the Moroccan Sahara, emphasizing that the two nations share long-standing diplomatic and historical ties based on mutual respect and shared vision for sustainable growth.
She further noted that the ongoing engagements are not only focused on attracting investments but also on promoting knowledge transfer, skills development, and capacity building within Sierra Leone. “Our interactions aim to build partnerships that empower our people and strengthen economic diplomacy between our two nations,” she added.
Madam Kande stressed that the conference complements President Julius Maada Bio’s transformative agenda, which focuses on economic diversification, human capital development, and innovation. “Based on our deliberations, there is renewed optimism for stronger ties and tangible progress in the near future,” she remarked, noting that Sierra Leone remains a key partner and investment destination within the sub-region.
Panel discussions during the meeting focused on several key thematic areas, including:
• Human Capital and Entrepreneurship: Youth in Service of Inclusive Development;
• Innovation and Youth Leadership: Prospects for Regional Cooperation;
• Logistics and Intra-African Trade: A Catalyst for Commercial Flows and Opportunities to Strengthen the AfCFTA;
• Blue Economy and Socio-Economic Growth: Harnessing Africa’s Maritime Potential for Sustainable Development.

The meeting concluded with both parties reaffirming their commitment to joint cooperation and the implementation of concrete projects that would enhance socio-economic development and further strengthen the fraternal relationship between Sierra Leone and the Kingdom of Morocco.

22/10/2025

SOGREA Initiative Launches €22 M Investment Facility
…to Accelerate Green Mini-Grid Deployment

SOGREA is partnering with the Government of Sierra Leone and the private sector to unlock new investments that will expand electricity access through green mini-grids, accelerating progress toward the country’s universal energy access goals.
The Salone Off-Grid Renewable Energy Acceleration (SOGREA) Initiative today officially launched its Investment Support Windows, a crucial mechanism set to catalyse private sector investment in Green Mini-Grids (GMGs).

Funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), with its hosted entity Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), in partnership with the Government of Sierra Leone (GOSL), the initiative features an indicative total of €22 million in catalytic investment support incentivizing private developers/operators to develop, finance, build, own, and operate mini-grids across rural Sierra Leone. This funding is aimed directly at supporting the Government of Sierra Leone’s drive towards financially sustainable electrification of the country’s rural areas by attracting new private investments into the GMG sector.
The SOGREA Milestone-triggered Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) Investment Support provides partial financial support to private entities to cover a portion of the Capital CAPEX for developing new GMGs and upgrading existing ones. This investment is designed not only to expand connections but also to help reduce electricity tariffs. Thanks to the Government of Sierra Leone’s reforms of the mini-grid sector by introducing state-of-the-art mini-grid regulations and a robust mechanism for tariff setting, SOGREA investment support will simultaneously help to bridge the gap between the tariffs that would be needed to cover the cost of supplying mini-grid energy and the tariffs that households can afford.

The GOSL views this investment as central to creating a conducive, sustainable environment for private sector engagement, emphasising that clear, simple and reliably enforced regulations are critical to attracting both donor and private capital for accelerated electrification.
Dr Kandeh Yumkella, Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Food Security (PI-CREF), and Chairman Energy Governance Coordination Group (EGCG): "This €22 million investment support marks a pivotal moment in our drive toward universal energy access. It provides the necessary leverage to unlock significant private sector capital. By lowering the investment risk and ultimately reducing the tariff burden on our citizens, we are not just lighting up homes; we are powering economic growth and social development. The GOSL is fully committed to the success of this transparent and impact-focused partnership."
Ambassador Jacek Jankowski, Head of the EU Delegation in Sierra Leone, said: “The European Union is proud to support the SOGREA Initiative, which aligns perfectly with our commitment to sustainable development, universal energy access, and climate action. The SOGREA Investment Support directly addresses the critical financing gap for green mini-grids, which are crucial for providing energy access in remote and underserved communities. This targeted grant support is a wise investment that will help Sierra Leone develop a resilient, decentralised, and clean energy future for its citizens.”
Crucially, the investment operates under a rigorous reimbursement mechanism. Payments are strictly tied to the achievement of specific, predetermined milestones such as "Equipment arrives on site," "GMG commissioned," and "GMG certified to operate", ensuring high standards and accountability. This phased payment approach is supported by verification from reputable third-party service providers and on-site checks, confirming progress before any funds are released.
Silvia Gallo, UNOPS West Africa Multi-Country Office Director, stated: “UNOPS is committed to the transparent and efficient administration of the SOGREA investments. Our system of phased, milestone-triggered payments, alongside robust third-party and on-site verification, promotes accountability and ensures that public funds deliver maximum impact. We are utilising systems, including SEforALL’s UEF web-based IT portal, to monitor progress, verify connections via smart meters, and uphold the integrity and credibility of the entire project.”
The initiative builds on the success of prior projects, highlighting the power of robust public-private partnerships in delivering tangible results, and focuses on both infrastructure development and strengthening the governance and financing of the renewable energy sector.
Anita Otubu, Senior Director of the Universal Energy Facility, Sustainable Energy for All: “Through the integration of the Universal Energy Facility (UEF) funding windows into SOGREA, SEforALL is extending its proven model for accelerating energy access. The UEF's operating procedures and secure IT portal will ensure a streamlined and transparent process for private sector partners. This collaboration is designed to scale up the deployment of quality green mini-grids infrastructure quickly, bringing power to grassroots communities and transforming lives in Sierra Leone.”
Communities and civil society are the critical beneficiaries and stakeholders who ensure inclusivity for youth, women, and vulnerable groups. But the lights won't stay on without capital. Private Sector companies are encouraged to invest now in Sierra Leone's green mini-grids to drive sustainable energy access, unlock rural economic growth, and secure an inclusive, electrified future. Green mini-grid investment is the spark that powers national development.

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