Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh addressed attendees at the London Civic Day Townhall on Thursday, 18 June 2026. The significant event, held at Westminster Chapel in London, served as a key platform for the Vice President to highlight Sierra Leone's ongoing development efforts and extensive energy reforms. Dr. Jalloh's participation in the townhall showed the government's unwavering commitment to engaging transparently and proactively with international partners and the vast Sierra Leonean diaspora regarding the nation's progress and future trajectory. His address provided a full overview of the strides being made across various sectors, emphasizing the strategic vision driving the country's transformation.
Energy Sector Transformation: A Pillar of National Development
Sierra Leone’s Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh emphasized that energy is not merely a utility but a critical pillar of President Julius Maada Bio’s ambitious Big Five Game Changers agenda. This agenda outlines key areas for transformative development across the nation. The country’s sophisticated and forward-looking energy strategy is meticulously built on three fundamental components: first, the aggressive expansion of renewable energy sources to harness the nation's natural potential; second, the strategic maintenance of thermal generation as a reliable base-load supply to ensure consistent power; and third, a concerted effort to increase hydroelectric production, leveraging existing and new infrastructure.
In a landmark achievement for the nation's energy landscape, the newly commissioned 40-megawatt Newton Solar Plant is now actively supplying electricity to the national grid. This substantial 40MW solar facility, located in Newton, represents the largest single addition of renewable energy capacity ever connected to Sierra Leone’s national electricity grid. This significant project marks a key step towards a greener and more sustainable energy future for the country. The Newton solar project is expected to reduce dependence on costly thermal power generation, thereby freeing up resources for other developmental initiatives. Crucially, it aims to provide cleaner and more reliable electricity to Freetown, the capital city, and its surrounding communities, including Waterloo, Fogbo, and Mile 6, directly impacting the lives of thousands of citizens.
Beyond new installations, existing energy infrastructure is also undergoing key improvements and modernization. Maintenance works at the Bumbuna Hydroelectric Dam, a vital source of renewable energy for the country, are nearing completion. These upgrades are expected to significantly contribute to the nation’s overall hydroelectric production goals, enhancing its efficiency and output. The NANT Power Project at the Kissy Terminal is progressing steadily according to schedule. This project is expected to commence operations during the first quarter of 2027, further diversifying the country's energy portfolio and bolstering its generation capacity. These combined efforts reflect a holistic approach to energy sector development, ensuring both immediate needs and long-term sustainability are addressed.
Improving Electricity Access and Management for All
A key strategic objective outlined by the government is to significantly increase national electricity access to 78 percent by 2030. This ambitious target shows the commitment to ensuring that a vast majority of Sierra Leoneans have reliable access to electricity, which is essential for economic growth, education, and quality of life. To achieve this, the government is actively advancing Private Sector Participation (PSP) initiatives at the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA). These partnerships are designed to bring in expertise, efficiency, and investment from the private sector to strengthen the overall performance of the utility.
The measures implemented at EDSA are multifaceted and designed to strengthen revenue management across the board. This includes the establishment of a dedicated EDSA Collection Account, a critical step towards ensuring greater transparency and accountability in financial operations. These initiatives are also specifically intended to improve billing efficiency, making the process more streamlined and accurate for consumers. A core focus is on reducing both technical and commercial losses within the distribution network, which currently pose significant challenges to the sector's financial viability. The overarching objective of these full reforms is to ensure that generated revenue is effectively and transparently reinvested back into the electricity sector. This reinvestment is vital to support further improvements, facilitate necessary expansion, and ultimately contribute to the long-term sustainability and growth of Sierra Leone's energy infrastructure.
Broader Development and Strong Diaspora Engagement
The London Civic Day Townhall was a resounding success, attracting more than 400 Sierra Leoneans who gathered to hear firsthand about the nation's progress. This event was an integral part of a broader series of engagements held during Salone Week in London, a dedicated period for fostering connections and collaboration. Salone Week also notably included the Sierra Leone Diaspora Investment Conference, an important forum specifically aimed at fostering economic collaboration and encouraging investment from the diaspora community into various sectors of Sierra Leone's economy.
Beyond the critical energy reforms, Sierra Leone has achieved significant progress in several other vital development areas. In a move towards greater agricultural self-sufficiency and food security, the nation is now producing onions domestically, reducing its reliance on imports for this staple vegetable. Sierra Leone has significantly increased its rice production, a fundamental food source for its population. This substantial boost in domestic rice cultivation has led to a drastic reduction in rice import volumes, a major achievement that saves foreign exchange and strengthens the national economy. These agricultural advancements, alongside the energy reforms, collectively contribute to the country's economic stability, enhance food security efforts, and lay a strong foundation for sustainable national development. The engagement with the diaspora through events like the London Civic Day Townhall and the Investment Conference further strengthens the bonds between the nation and its citizens abroad, leveraging their expertise and resources for national growth.